Comment Submitted by Sanjiv Pimple

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. ? 2000bb et seq, also known as RFRA) provides federal protection against laws that would substantially burden the free exercise of religion. As such, the federal government may only substantially burden the free exercise of religion if it demonstrates that application of a law is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and that it is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling interest. Indeed combating immigration fraud is a compelling governmental interest; however the proposed changes to the regulations are not the least restrictive means to do so. Most, if not all of the definitions, terms and examples pertaining to religious occupations, religious vocations and denominational affiliation contain an inherent bias towards organizations within the Judeo-Christian family of faiths and their associated governing structures and religious function and practice (examples of Judeo-Christian terms found throughout the regulations that are alien to Indic traditions such as Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism include, liturgical workers, catechists, cantors, missionaries, and ritual slaughter supervisors). The application of such terms may potentially serve to discriminate against those organizations that differ from the practice, structure and function of the Judeo-Christian guidelines upon which the regulations are based. More distressingly, no provisions provide alternative or catchall language that may account for these non-Judeo-Christian religious organizations or religious workers. I strongly urge the USCIS to carefully consider the comments provided by The Hindu American Foundation (HAF). The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) is a national, non-profit human rights group whose purpose is to provide a voice for the Hindu American community. According to the most recent census figures, Hindus rank among the five largest religious groups in the U.S. HAF interacts with and educates government, media, academia and the public at large about issues of concern to Hindus locally and globally. Herein, the Foundation expresses its serious concern with the substantial burden many of the proposed changes will place on Hindu temples and practicing Hindus in the United States. Thanks Sanjiv Pimple Anaheim, California 714-632-8728