UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Entry into U.S.A

Q1. Under the Immigration Act of 1924 (Johnson–Reed Act), each nationality's annual immigration ceiling was fixed at 2 per cent of that group's population as recorded in which United States census?

  • A. The census of 1890
  • B. The census of 1910
  • C. The census of 1920
  • D. The census of 1900

Q2. In the context of the 1926 relief granted to alien World War I veterans, the term 'non-quota immigrant' most precisely means:

  • A. An immigrant admitted outside the numerical national-origins ceilings, whose entry is not counted against any country's annual quota
  • B. An immigrant who is permanently and irrevocably barred from ever acquiring United States citizenship
  • C. An immigrant admitted only after every quota slot for the year has already been exhausted
  • D. An immigrant whose annual quota is fixed at exactly zero under the 1890 census formula

Q3. The 'national-origins system' that governed United States immigration between 1924 and 1965 is best described as:

  • A. A scheme allocating annual immigration quotas to each nationality in proportion to that group's existing share of the United States population
  • B. A points-based scheme awarding visas according to applicants' skills, education and occupation
  • C. A first-come, first-served scheme with a uniform per-country ceiling applied equally to all nations
  • D. A scheme granting entry strictly on the basis of family reunification with US citizens

Q4. In the present-day United States, the federal agency that adjudicates H-1B petitions and processes applications for immigrant naturalization is:

  • A. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
  • B. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
  • C. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • D. The Bureau of Consular Affairs of the State Department

Q5. The 'Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)' status, frequently cited when comparing migration and citizenship regimes, is best described as:

  • A. A lifelong visa and special resident status for eligible persons of Indian origin, which does not amount to dual citizenship
  • B. A form of full dual citizenship conferring the right to vote in Indian elections
  • C. A temporary work permit valid for five years and renewable only once
  • D. A diplomatic status conferred on foreign nationals serving in Indian missions abroad

Q6. Following the Luce–Celler Act of 1946, the annual immigration quota granted to the Philippines was raised to how many persons?

  • A. 100
  • B. 50
  • C. 150
  • D. 2,000