VOA慢速英语20060401a

IN THE NEWS - Punish Illegal Immigrants? Welcome Them as Future Citizens? Congress Debates ImmigrationBy Nancy Steinbach

Broadcast: Saturday, April 01, 2006

I'm Steve Ember with IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.

Immigration was a major subject as President Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox met this week. They were in Cancun, Mexico, joined by the new prime minister of Canada, Stephen Harper. The North American leaders also discussed trade and other issues during their two days of meetings.

The two presidents both support the idea of a guest worker program that would not punish illegal immigrants now in the United States. But Mister Bush's Republican Party is divided on issues of immigration reform.

The Pew Hispanic Center says fifty-six percent of illegal immigrants in the United States are from Mexico. It estimates that the United States has eleven million to twelve million illegal immigrants. Some other estimates put the number higher.

In Washington, a vote this week cleared the way for the full Senate to debate an immigration bill. The Judiciary Committee approved legislation that would make it possible for some illegal immigrants to become American citizens.

They would have to prove they have jobs and are not wanted for crimes. They would also have to learn English and pay any tax debts.

The proposal would also expand guest worker programs to let four hundred thousand people into the country each year. After six years they could ask for permission to stay permanently¹.

The Senate bill conflicts with legislation approved by the House of Representatives in December. Under the House version, illegal immigrants and anyone who helps them could face criminal charges.

In the past week, many thousands of Latinos and others marched in Los Angeles and other cities to protest that legislation. Students walked out of high school classes to join the protests.


Demonstrators in Los Angeles gather to protest federal legislation that would build more walls along the U.S. - Mexico border and make helping² illegal immigrants a crime

Anger at the House bill could hurt efforts to get more Latinos to vote Republican in congressional elections this November. The party controls both houses of Congress.

Some lawmakers want to discuss only border enforcement and security. They oppose legislation that would permit illegal immigrants to become citizens. They say it is not fair to immigrants who obeyed the law.

Others support changing the immigration laws as a way to improve the lives of those living in the country illegally now. Supporters say the economy depends on them. They say these workers do jobs that Americans refuse to do.

Opponents might not dispute that. But they say there is currently not enough enforcement of laws against employing illegal immigrants in jobs that Americans will do. The building trades are often used as an example.

Last Monday, President Bush spoke³ at a ceremony for new citizens. He expressed support for guest worker programs for economic reasons. But he also said he will not support any plan that pardons all of those who have been working in the United States illegally.

IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English was written by Nancy Steinbach. I'm Steve Ember.

1 permanently   

adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地

参考例句：

• The accident left him permanently scarred.那次事故给他留下了永久的伤疤。
• The ship is now permanently moored on the Thames in London.该船现在永久地停泊在伦敦泰晤士河边。

2 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

3 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。