What Visa is needed to work for free in the US? (charity & pomotional shows by 16 yr old singer)

MusicManager

Registered Users (C)
I help manage a group of singers from many countries via the internet.
Today one of those singers, a 16 yr old girl along with her mother tried to enter the US from Canada and was stopped at the Border and interigated for 4 hours on the suspicion of entering the US to do a show for profit. She was doing a promotional show at a clothing chain store for which she would receive no payment. They did not believe she was not getting paid.
The girl concerned 6 weeks ago flew to LA and was the headline act for a Charity event and she and her mother traveled totally at their own expense to do that show. Immigration Official looked up all of their US entries in the last 12 months and questioned them over each visit. They then looked up the girls websites looking for shows she may have done for payment. They would not believe that they payed their own way and did the Charity show in LA for free as it was a big event with many famous young TV and movie stars.
The girl and her mother were refused entry after 4 hours of detainment during which time they would not let the mother contact anyone or answer her ringing phone for the first 2 hours. The 16 yr old girl was then told she could not enter the US again without a work visa. I believe a work visa is approx $650USD which is ridiculous amount to pay to enter the US to do unpaid promotional or charity shows. Is there a visa that she can apply for that doesn't cost a fortune so that she can continue to do free, promotional shows. The clothing chain is nation wide and have live shows regularly but performers are never payed its just a way for young singers to promote themselves publicly.
Thank you for your time.
 
Top