As far as legal consequenceds are concerned the following is what could happen: Per the Immigration and Nationality Act, working without authorization falls under what the INA terms "violation of visa statuts" which is one of the most used grounds for deportation. Secondly, As a F-1 student who has been "legally admitted" into the U.S, you are eligible to adjust status at a later date to say a H-1 (B) visa; however, adjustment of status is not available for a person who has worked without authorization. Third point, if the motel is paying you in check based on your social security number, there is every possibility that he will at some point report that as "expenses" so he gets a tax benefit and that would leave you exposed. I know these are the legal basis and what happens in reality is far different, but, you need to know that the INS has been working overtime in recent months in enforcing rules--thanks to the pressure of the Right wing over "national security". If you have authorization from school and have an approved employer, it is TOO BIG a risk to take to work with the motel merely becuase you don't have to pay for accomodation. I know that as a student, every peeny saved counts..but you need to think in the long term. If you have any other questions regarding possible legal outcomes, let me know.