美国国家公共电台 NPR--A Migrant Resource Center is in the spotlight after the Martha's Vineyard incident

A Migrant Resource Center is in the spotlight¹ after the Martha's Vineyard incident

Transcript²

The Florida governor's decision to fly migrants to Martha's Vineyard put San Antonio's Migrant Resource Center in the spotlight. Migrants near the shelter were allegedly lured³ onto the flights.

A MARTINEZ, HOST:

Since Florida Governor Ron DeSantis flew dozens of migrants to Martha's Vineyard from San Antonio, the Migrant Resource Center in the Texas City has been pushed into the spotlight. Texas Public Radio contributor Yvette Benavides reports.

YVETTE BENAVIDES, BYLINE⁴: On a recent evening, a Venezuelan family of six sits outside the Migrant Resource Center to pass the time. It's the first time all day that it's been cool enough to venture out. Bridgette (ph), the mother, who gave only her first name due to safety concerns, folds clothes. The youngest children eat small packets of Skittles candy. The father holds up his cellphone. And Bridgette explains what they're watching.

BRIDGETTE: (Non-English language spoken).

BENAVIDES: She says it's a news story about what's happening with the people who were taken to another place. She's referring to some 50 migrants who were allegedly lured from right near here by a blonde woman named Perla and flown to Martha's Vineyard. Bridgette says they recently got a similar offer from a blonde woman while they were at a supermarket down the street.

BRIDGETTE: (Non-English language spoken).

BENAVIDES: She says, the woman offered to pay for a hotel, give us food and clothes, stuff for the kids that would help us and then put us on a plane and send us to another place. Bridgette says she took a $20 gift card but rejected the flight because she doesn't want to miss her immigration court date in San Antonio. The Migrant Resource Center is run by the city and can serve 600 people a day. People who've already been processed by immigration authorities can stay for up to three nights. The staff helps people make travel arrangements and get medical care. They hand out travel bags with toiletries, clean socks and other essentials. At a recent press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis claimed that migrants in San Antonio were being treated poorly, that they were abandoned and left to fend⁵ for themselves.

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RON DESANTIS: They were hungry, homeless. They had no opportunity at all.

BENAVIDES: However, Bridgette says her experience has been positive.

BRIDGETTE: (Non-English language spoken).

BENAVIDES: She says, at least here they feed us and have treated us well. She says it's better than Venezuela.

BRIDGETTE: (Non-English language spoken).

BENAVIDES: She says, in Venezuela, things are ugly. Officials at the resource center would not speak with us or allow us inside. However, city officials provided a statement that they're advising migrants not to accept rides or any other assistance from strangers outside, and to report concerns to staff. There's a strong police presence at and around the center. Migrants staying here must wear wristbands and have to show them each time they go in or out. Back out in front, in the cool evening air, a couple from Venezuela, Eduardo (ph) and Dali (ph), said they'd also heard about the woman recruiting⁶ migrants. They only gave their first names out of fear. They said that if the woman offered them money and a flight, they'd turn it down.

EDUARDO: (Non-English language spoken).

DALI: (Non-English language spoken).

EDUARDO: (Non-English language spoken).

BENAVIDES: Eduardo says, first, he's already heard how that goes. And, second, he can't be bought. Meanwhile, as we talk, more buses carrying more migrants arrive at the resource center - one short stop on a very long journey.

For NPR News, I'm Yvette Benavides in San Antonio.

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1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

3 lured   

吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• The child was lured into a car but managed to escape. 那小孩被诱骗上了车，但又设法逃掉了。
• Lured by the lust of gold,the pioneers pushed onward. 开拓者在黄金的诱惑下，继续奋力向前。

4 byline   

n.署名；v.署名

参考例句：

• His byline was absent as well.他的署名也不见了。
• We wish to thank the author of this article which carries no byline.我们要感谢这篇文章的那位没有署名的作者。

5 fend   

v.照料（自己），（自己）谋生，挡开，避开

参考例句：

• I've had to fend for myself since I was 14.我从十四岁时起就不得不照料自己。
• He raised his arm up to fend branches from his eyes.他举手将树枝从他眼前挡开。

6 recruiting   

招聘( recruit的现在分词 )； 吸收某人为新成员； 动员…（提供帮助）； 雇用

参考例句：

• We are recruiting a sales manager with responsibility for the European market. 我们正在招聘负责欧洲市场的销售经理。
• "Hoist the recruiting flag and hungry men will come. “插起招军旗，就有吃粮人。”