(Reading Comprehension based on The Hindu Editorial – 20th July 2020)

Policy retreat: On U.S. student visas

Trump must deliver on jobs, not engage in rhetoric on visas, to stay in office

Market forces and common sense appeared to triumph over narrow-minded economic protectionism in the U.S. on
student visas. President Trump’s administration had to walk back a recent immigration policy diktat, that it would no
longer issue visas to university students in programmes involving a substantial online component, starting in the fall
2020 semester. Had this policy withstood the legal challenge that was immediately mounted by Harvard
University, the MIT, and over 200 other universities, it might had led to large numbers of students enrolled in such
courses facing the risk of deportation and those intending to enter the U.S. for higher studies stranded abroad
without options. The universities joining the case against the decision of the federal Immigration and Customs
Enforcement argued in court that this policy, described as “cruel” and “illegal”, undermined their efforts to create a
safe, online-based learning system amidst the raging pandemic. However, their fight may be far from over. Both the
universities and their prospective international enrollees would be wise to remain alert to the possibility of
additional restrictions foisted onto the entry process at a future date. Already the administration has clarified that
newly enrolling international students, possibly up to 200,000 across the U.S., will be barred from taking purely
online courses while living in the country. Yet the battle will continue from the other side too — the judge in the
legal case brought by the universities is keeping the case open, implying that arguments could be made against
additional restrictions.

For Mr. Trump, his administration’s immigration sagas will only ratchet up the pressure on him to perform and
deliver during what he probably considers the hardest year, politically, of his first term. On the one hand, he is facing
a sharp legal backlash in the realm of immigration policy, not only in the case of students taking online courses but
also on his ban on the issuance of H-1B visas for skilled workers and several other worker visas. Second, his job
approval ratings are on the decline in the face of his government’s mismanagement of policy to contain the spread
of COVID-19, the ineffective steps it has taken to bolster the economy, and a surge in racial tensions. Third, his
Democratic rival, Joe Biden, is trying to capitalise on Mr. Trump’s failings and find a path to victory in November’s
presidential election. Despite the embarrassment of retreating on his latest visa policy, Mr. Trump is unlikely to back
down from his broader protectionist impulse for fear of alienating the core of his base — those whose jobs he claims
to protect from foreigners and immigrants. However, he will have to proactively address the precarious state of the
U.S. macro economy through fiscal measures, while also providing succour to tens of millions of workers who have
lost their livelihoods through this crisis.

Q1. What is the tone of the author in the passage?

(1) Laudatory (2) Analytical (3) Derisive (4) Witty (5) Conciliatory

Q2. Which of the following words is closest in meaning to the word succour as used in the passage?
(1) success (2) respect (3) protection (4) sympathy (5) help

Q3. Which of the following words is farthest in meaning to the word undermined as used in the passage?
(1) subverted (2) enhanced (3) sabotaged (4) understood (5) threatened

Q4. Which of the following options is farthest in meaning to the phrase ratchet up as used in the passage?
(1) spread (2) increase (3) diminish (4) fight (5) None of these

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Q5. Identify the part with an error –

Had this policy withstood the legal challenge that was immediately mounted (1) / by Harvard University, the MIT,
and over 200 other universities, it might had led to large numbers of students (2) / enrolled in such courses facing
the risk of deportation and those intending to enter (3) / the U.S. for higher studies stranded abroad without
options. (4) / No error (5)

Q6. Why did US universities challenge the immigration policy diktat issued by President Trump’s administration?
(1) A large number of students would be deported as a result of the implementation of the policy
(2) President Trump’s administration might impose additional restrictions on the immigration process at a future date
(3) The Universities have proved that the new policy is cruel and illegal
(4) The policy adversely affected the universities’ efforts to create a safe, online based learning system during the
pandemic
(5) Not mentioned in the passage

Q7. Why does the author feel the fight of the universities against the policy may be far from over?
A. The US government might take legal action against the universities that challenged President Trump’s order
B. The universities will be expected to come up with alternative methods of teaching international students
C. The Government may impose restrictions on the entry process of prospective international enrollees
(1) Only C (2) Only A (3) Both A and B (4) Both A and C (5) Both B and C

Q8. Which of the following is FALSE in the context of the passage?

A. Trump imposed a ban on the issuance of H-1B visas for skilled workers and several other worker visas
B. Joe Biden is trying to capitalise on his democratic rival’s failings
C. Trump probably considers 2020 as the hardest year, politically, of his second term
(1) Only A (2) Only C (3) Both B and C (4) Both A and B (5) None of these

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