VOA标准英语2011--Obama Takes Heat from Pro-Immigration Gr

Obama Takes Heat from Pro-Immigration Groups

U.S. President Barack Obama came into office with strong voter support among Hispanic Americans, while promising¹ to make immigration reform a top priority. But many lawmakers in Washington oppose easing restrictions² on immigration and instead demand a crackdown against illegal immigration.
Hundreds of pro-immigration activists⁴ gathered recently near the White House to send President Obama a message:
"We are here to collect on the promises he made to us," said a female activist³.
That promise was sweeping⁵ pro-immigration reform. The rally was equal parts political theater, voter outrage⁶ and dance party.
"Hey, hey, Obama, don't deport⁷ my mama!," chanted the protesters.
Such appeals against deporting⁸ mamas are not helping⁹ this mother. She says when she called police during a domestic violence dispute, she was arrested. She now faces deportation¹⁰.
"I am fighting not to be separated from my daughter and for justice for the millions of immigrants in this country," she said.
Police detained Congressman¹¹ Luis Gutierrez of Illinois and other activists during the protest. Gutierrez supports immigration reforms, including an end to deporting undocumented, immigrant college students. These protestors say more than 1 million immigrants have been deported¹² since Mr. Obama's election.
Speaking to Hispanic activists recently, the president blamed Republicans for failing to enact¹³ immigration reforms.
"Let's be honest, I need a dance partner here and the floor is empty," said President Obama.
Political analysts¹⁴ say Mr. Obama needs Hispanic voters to win re-election in 2012. But a recent Gallup Poll shows his approval rating among Hispanics has slipped.
At the rally, the anger was palpable.
"The United States is deporting veterans and that is not American," said Vietnam war veteran Manuel Valenzuela.
Business leaders testifying on Capitol Hill also seek immigration reform. But their interests are more narrow. They seek quick visa approval for high tech foreign employees. They say the United States is losing top workers because the immigration process is so cumbersome¹⁵.
Microsoft attorney Brad Smith says other countries have friendlier immigration policies toward top talent.
"The world economy has changed," said Smith. "It used to be that people would move in search of the right jobs. Now jobs move in search of the right people."
NASDAQ CEO Robert Greifeld says high-skilled immigrants in the U.S. create jobs.
"Among the Fortune 500 companies, we found at least 14 NASDAQ companies with foreign-born founders," said Greifeld. "These companies have created over $522 billion in market capitalization and employ over 500,000 workers."
With a sluggish¹⁶ economy, and a still unresolved debate over raising the debt ceiling, there's much uncertainty¹⁷ in Washington. But one thing is sure: those waiting for comprehensive immigration reform are going to wait a little bit longer.

1 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

2 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

3 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

4 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？

6 outrage   

n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒

参考例句：

• When he heard the news he reacted with a sense of outrage.他得悉此事时义愤填膺。
• We should never forget the outrage committed by the Japanese invaders.我们永远都不应该忘记日本侵略者犯下的暴行。

7 deport   

vt.驱逐出境

参考例句：

• We deport aliens who slip across our borders.我们把偷渡入境的外国人驱逐出境。
• More than 240 England football fans are being deported from Italy following riots last night.昨晚的骚乱发生后有240多名英格兰球迷被驱逐出意大利。

8 deporting   

v.将…驱逐出境( deport的现在分词 )；举止

参考例句：

9 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。

10 deportation   

n.驱逐，放逐

参考例句：

• The government issued a deportation order against the four men.政府发出了对那4名男子的驱逐令。
• Years ago convicted criminals in England could face deportation to Australia.很多年以前，英国已定罪的犯人可能被驱逐到澳大利亚。

11 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

12 deported   

v.将…驱逐出境( deport的过去式和过去分词 )；举止

参考例句：

• They stripped me of my citizenship and deported me. 他们剥夺我的公民资格，将我驱逐出境。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The convicts were deported to a deserted island. 罪犯们被流放到一个荒岛。 来自《简明英汉词典》

13 enact   

vt.制定(法律)；上演，扮演

参考例句：

• The U.S. Congress has exclusive authority to enact federal legislation.美国国会是唯一有权颁布联邦法律的。
• For example,a country can enact laws and economic policies to attract foreign investment fairly quickly.例如一个国家可以很快颁布吸引外资的法令和经济政策。

14 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

15 cumbersome   

adj.笨重的，不便携带的

参考例句：

• Although the machine looks cumbersome,it is actually easy to use.尽管这台机器看上去很笨重，操作起来却很容易。
• The furniture is too cumbersome to move.家具太笨，搬起来很不方便。

16 sluggish   

adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的

参考例句：

• This humid heat makes you feel rather sluggish.这种湿热的天气使人感到懒洋洋的。
• Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.脚部的循环比手部的循环缓慢得多。

17 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。