can you deport an international student for losing in a small claim court case?

Question

my cousin who is an international student might get involved in a small claim court case. her renter claims that she signed my cousin up for a lease which my cousin had no idea of until she was about to move out. she was a minor when her roommate claims that she signed her up for a lease. and her roommate tried to get 3 months of rent from my cousin even though she will no longer live there. and her roommate is threatening her that she'll contact the immigration office to have her deported. i'm just wondering if that can be true.

Answer 1

I wouldn't worry, she can of course turn her in to the Immigration but, so what, they won't do anything as long as your cousin is legal.

Your cousin can counter sue for contributing to the delinquency, for having her sign a lease while she was under age. And what's this extra for, the three months. I think your cousin, being legal, should go to court and file counter charges against this person, she has rights to even though she's not a citizen.

Answer 2

If what you say is the truth, I don't think your cousin has anything to worry about. If your cousin herself didn't sign a lease, she has no obligation. In most, if not all states, if no lease is signed, and there is no verbal time period agreed upon, then it would pretty much be considered a month-to-month situation. If the roommate is not a guardian, sponsor, responsible relative, or parent, I don't believe the roommate has the right to sign your cousin up for a lease.

The roommate is just blowing hot air. If she, your cousin, is staying within the guidelines for her student visa, then she shouldn't have any problems. From what you have provided, she should win her case, but I doubt seriously if this would ever see the inside of a courtroom. Her name isn't on any documents.

If she is worried about this, she should be able to talk to someone at her school. I am sure she knows someone that would contact the INS to inquire about such a situation on her behalf without mentioning her name. She could call herself, unless she is scared that calling and asking would bring attention to herself.