Religious group wants visas for masons

Bartlett, USA - Organizers of an Eastern religion temple in the Chicago suburbs have been trying for almost two years to bring in the skilled stonemasons they need from India.

Members of the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago told the Chicago Tribune the effort has been costly. The group has spent $35,000 on lawyers and other expenses trying to get visas for the craftsmen, and the failure to complete the temple has lost them millions of dollars in donations.

"It's just a nightmare," said Prabodh Vaidya, who heads the board of trustees.

The U.S. government is considering changes to regulations on religious visas. Members of other religions say the rules are biased in favor of Jews and Christians, and against religious traditions in which a mason, for example, could be considered a religious worker.

The Jain religion is one of the world's oldest. There are about 8 million Jain in India, and growing numbers in immigrant communities.

The society was originally trying to get visas for five masons or silpis. They have since discovered a silpi in Detroit and now need only four from India.