Indian Student in Texas Faces Viral Scrutiny Over Apartment Sublease Discussion
An Indian student residing in Plano, Texas, has found herself at the center of a viral online controversy following discussions about potentially subleasing her private apartment. The situation gained widespread attention after MAGA activist Carlos Turcios posted on social media platform X, making inflammatory claims about the student's intentions.
Viral Social Media Post Sparks Controversy
Carlos Turcios's post alleged that "Indian is being accused by the Texas Investigation Unit of attempting to sublease her apartment for $1000 a month illegally." The activist further escalated the rhetoric by stating, "H1-B Visa Aliens and Violent Muslims are invading North Texas. STOP THE INVASION!" This framing placed the private housing discussion within a larger, politically charged narrative about immigration.
Student's Explanation of Housing Arrangement
The student at the center of the controversy, Shravanthi Varma, was recorded discussing housing arrangements for her sister. In the conversation, Varma explained her situation clearly: "Uh, only actually just only me. I am only staying only one. So my address, I mean, my office is in Austin, so I'll be moving to Austin. So, like, couple of days, like, uh, weekly twice I will be in Austin."
Varma continued to detail her proposed living arrangement: "So I just want to give my apartment for someone like with me to share it. So I'll be staying like staying in the hall. So she, uh, it is like 1 BHK apartment. So the main bedroom I'm going to give like someone who is ready to take like to share with me."
Lease and Payment Arrangements Discussed
The conversation also covered practical aspects of the potential arrangement. Varma indicated that the lease for the Michigan Gate Apartments in Plano remains in her name, and she suggested her sister could pay her directly rather than being formally added to the lease documents.
"Uh, she can give me the cash and all. Because here there is no sub lease terms. So I'll be in the lease, so just she need to be paying to me. I'll be pay from my side when she's with me," Varma explained during the discussion.
Property Viewing and Personal Background
Varma offered to show the apartment to her sister, stating, "Yeah, uh, she can come at the weekend if she want. Can you share her number so that we can connect directly so that whenever she want, I will be available here if she is ready."
The conversation briefly touched upon their origins when the visitor mentioned being from Hyderabad state. Varma responded, "Oh, she, she is also from from there, from the Telangana, Telugu speaking, vegetarian, non-veg," indicating shared cultural background.
Lack of Official Confirmation
Despite the viral social media framing suggesting legal action, there remains no independent verification that any investigation has been initiated by authorities. Local law enforcement agencies in Texas have not released any official statements confirming investigations into illegal subleasing or violations related to this specific conversation.
The situation highlights how private discussions about housing arrangements can become amplified through social media and framed within broader political narratives, particularly around immigration topics that involve international students and visa holders in the United States.
