2006年VOA标准英语-US Faces Challenges Securing Borders

By Amy Katz
Washington, D.C.
30 January 2006
 
watch Border report

Mexico drops plans to distribute maps to guide immigrants safely across the U.S.-Mexico border... another tunnel on that border is discovered… and Colombian authorities say they have dismantled¹ a false passport ring with links to al-Qaida and the Islamic militant² group Hamas.  Amy Katz takes a look at these stories -- which illustrate³ the challenges the U.S. faces in securing its borders.

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Part of the tunnel found under the US-Mexican border (photo courtesy ICE)   
  

U.S. and Mexican authorities have discovered what officials call the longest and most sophisticated tunnel yet -- running from the Mexican town of Tijuana to just across the border in the U.S. state of California.  U.S. officials say it is about one kilometer long. 

Mike Unzueta of U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement announced, "As part of this we have seized approximately 200 pounds (91 kilograms) of marijuana that were on the U.S. side of the tunnel.  Reports from Mexico are that the Mexican authorities have seized approximately 4,000 pounds (1800 kilograms) of marijuana."

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency says the tunnel was a major gateway⁴ for illegal immigrants and drugs coming from Mexico into the U.S.  At least 20 tunnels have been found along the U.S. border with Mexico since the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks.  Four have been found in California this month alone.

 
A portion of the map showing water stations and rescue beacons⁵ to assist illegal crossing of the border in the southwest U.S.
  
In another development, Mexico has suspended a plan to distribute maps intended to guide migrants safely across the U.S.-Mexico border.  The map shows migrants the safest routes, including water stations manned by a U.S. humanitarian⁶ group.  U.S. officials objected to the maps, which they said would encourage more people to cross the border illegally.  Mexico says they were meant to warn people of the risks they might face in desert areas along the border where hundreds of migrants died last year.  

Counterfeit⁷ passports and other documents   
  
Meanwhile, officials in Colombia say they have broken up a false passport ring with links to al-Qaida and the Islamic militant group Hamas.  Colombian authorities say they have arrested 19 people in connection with the case, whom they say sent the forged Colombian passports to citizens of Pakistan, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.  The passports were then reportedly enabling foreign nationals, possibly terrorists, to travel as though they were Colombians, to the U.S. and Europe. 

1 dismantled   

拆开( dismantle的过去式和过去分词 )； 拆卸； 废除； 取消

参考例句：

• The plant was dismantled of all its equipment and furniture. 这家工厂的设备和家具全被拆除了。
• The Japanese empire was quickly dismantled. 日本帝国很快被打垮了。

2 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

3 illustrate   

v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图

参考例句：

• The company's bank statements illustrate its success.这家公司的银行报表说明了它的成功。
• This diagram will illustrate what I mean.这个图表可说明我的意思。

4 gateway   

n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法

参考例句：

• Hard work is the gateway to success.努力工作是通往成功之路。
• A man collected tolls at the gateway.一个人在大门口收通行费。

5 beacons   

灯塔( beacon的名词复数 )； 烽火； 指路明灯； 无线电台或发射台

参考例句：

• A chain of beacons was lit across the region. 整个地区点起了一系列灯塔。
• Lighthouse and beacons flash at night. 晚上灯塔与信号台闪着光。

6 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

7 counterfeit   

vt.伪造，仿造；adj.伪造的，假冒的

参考例句：

• It is a crime to counterfeit money.伪造货币是犯罪行为。
• The painting looked old but was a recent counterfeit.这幅画看上去年代久远，实际是最近的一幅赝品。