I like this theory of paying taxes is a felony, tell me more!!

Levity aside, working on a tourist visa is a violation but generally isn't prosecuted as a felony.

Also the grandparent post said "They seized a white Irishman last October who had a valid work permit and was just about to head to his green card interview."

If he had a valid work permit I suppose this means that he was allowed to work and pay taxes on that work, in other words - no, he was not committing a felony.