Topic Of The Day:-“Visa Crackdown: On Indian Students’ Arrest”
Students Should Be Made Aware Of The Risks Of Falling Afoul Of U.S. Immigration Laws
The arrest of 129 Indians on the charge of wilfully violating immigration laws to stay and work in the United States sends a stark message to youth looking for better prospects abroad: their efforts should begin with due diligence and strictly follow the letter of the law. In the sting operation carried out by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which threatens to encompass many more Indians in the ‘University of Farmington’ case, the contentious issue is whether they fell victim to unscrupulous recruiters who offered to secure an I-20 student document that allowed them to undertake paid work using the provision for Curricular Practical Training, or knowingly engaged in fraud. Going by the indictment of eight recruiters of Indian origin, they knew they were violating U.S. immigration law when they enrolled students using fraudulent and unlawful means, and their profits included negotiated referral fees paid into their accounts by undercover agents. The prosecution has alleged that each student who enrolled in the ‘university’ was aware that there would be no classes, credit scores or academic requirements, and the intention was merely to “pay to stay” and gain access to employment. These statements are, of course, subject to scrutiny during the trial of the alleged recruiters. The Ministry of External Affairs has made the correct distinction between students who may have been dupedand the recruiters. Students who are eligible to pursue studies at an authorised university in the U.S. should, therefore, get a further opportunity and not be subjected to summary deportation or humiliation. It must also not prejudice the prospects of such students who may apply in future for legal entry.
The University of Farmington case in Michigan is not the first instance of Indian students falling foul of U.S. immigration laws, although it stands apart as a racket exposed by a sting operation. Others such as Tri-Valley University and Herguan University were degree mills run by individuals that used false claims and documents to enable youth to unlawfully stay in the U.S. and, in many cases, pursue employment. These trends reinforce the need for good communication that would help students identify credentialed institutions that meet the requirements of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, and highlight the serious nature of visa fraud. If the averments in the Michigan case are correct, the prospect of working in America attracted many of the 600 students who were recruited. This should serve as a reminder to India’s policymakers that access to higher education, job-creation and raising of living standards to meet the aspirations of youth must receive priority. Talk of an impending demographic dividend is meaningless without creating opportunities at home.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) stark
Meaning : severe or bare in appearance or outline(adj).
Synonyms : blunt
Antonyms : covered
Example : “the ridge formed a stark silhouette against the sky”
2) prospects
Meaning : the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring(n).
Synonyms : expectation
Antonyms : impossibility
Example : “there was no prospect of a reconciliation”
3) diligence
Meaning : careful and persistent work or effort(n).
Synonyms : earnestness
Antonyms : inactivity
Example : “few party members challenge his diligence as an MP”
4) contentious
Meaning : causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial(adj).
Synonyms : antagonistic
Antonyms : agreeable
Example : “a contentious issue”
5) unscrupulous
Meaning : having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair(adj).
Synonyms : corrupt
Antonyms : decent
Example : “unscrupulous landlords might be tempted to harass existing tenants”
6) indictment
Meaning : a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime(n).
Synonyms : citation
Antonyms : absolution
Example : “an indictment for conspiracy”
7) negotiated
Meaning : obtain or bring about by discussion.
Synonyms : confer
Antonyms : confuse
Example : “he negotiated a new contract with the sellers”
8) prosecution
Meaning : the institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge(n).
Synonyms : pursuit
Antonyms : defeat
Example : “the organizers are facing prosecution for noise nuisance”
9) intention
Meaning : a thing intended; an aim or plan(n).
Synonyms : hope
Antonyms : discouragement
Example : “she was full of good intentions”
10) merely
Meaning : just; only.
Synonyms : hardly
Antonyms : indefinitely
Example : “Gary, a silent boy, merely nodded”
11) scrutiny
Meaning : critical observation or examination.
Synonyms : inquiry
Antonyms : neglect
Example : “every aspect of local government was placed under scrutiny“
12) distinction
Meaning : a difference or contrast between similar things or people.
Synonyms : difference
Antonyms : accord
Example : “there is a sharp distinction between domestic politics and international politics”
13) duped
Meaning : deceive; trick.
Synonyms : cheat
Antonyms : assist
Example : “the newspaper was duped into publishing an untrue story”
14) pursue
Meaning : follow or chase (someone or something).
Synonyms : seek
Antonyms : assist
Example : “the officer pursued the van”
15) deportation
Meaning : the action of deporting a foreigner from a country.
Synonyms : eviction
Antonyms : approval
Example : “asylum seekers facing deportation”
16) exposed
Meaning : not covered or hidden; visible(adj).
Synonyms : disclosed
Antonyms : hidden
Example : “the venue featured beautiful hardwood floors and exposed brick walls”
17) reinforce
Meaning : strengthen or support (an object or substance), especially with additional material.
Synonyms : buttress
Antonyms : diminish
Example : “the helmet has been reinforced with a double layer of cork”
18) instead
Meaning : as an alternative or substitute.
Synonyms : rather
Antonyms : latter
Example : “do not use lotions, but put on a clean dressing instead”
19) impending
Meaning : be about to happen.
Synonyms : imminent
Antonyms : past
Example : “my impending departure”
