I see where you're coming from, too. I guess I just worry that by the time this guy takes care of all the legal stuff associated with being a foreigner starting

I see where you're coming from, too. I guess I just worry that by the time this guy takes care of all the legal stuff associated with being a foreigner starting a business, the window he actually has to build is going to close. And you're right -- I have no idea what happens in terms of his taxes should he actually make money, but I feel very similarly to jhancock, who also commented on the post: "I'm in the middle of immigration process with my wife. Fortunately, the one place the USCIS and IRS do not look is on your home PC to find out if you've been programming for the startup that probably won't make any revenue until after your immigration process is through." It just seems worth the risk to me.