2006年VOA标准英语-Mexican Border Security Goes High-Tech

By Paul Sisco
Washington, DC
29 September 2006
 
watch Border Security Tech

 
An immigrant captured after illegally crossing the U.S. border with Mexico
It's a new approach to the crackdown.  With border security and illegal immigration a major concern in the United States, the U.S. government is investing in a high technology plan to help secure America's southern border. 

The concerns over illegal immigration to the United States are so widespread that the House of Representatives has passed a proposal to create a wall, more than 1,100 kilometers long, along part of the U.S. Mexican border.

The Senate is still debating that plan.  Other controls on immigration are also being considered.

In addition, the government is trying new technology.  Boeing, a major aerospace¹, defense², and aircraft contracting firm, is receiving $67 million to install a virtual high-tech³ fence along the U.S.-Mexican border in Arizona.

 
US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff
Michael Chertoff heads the U.S. government's Department of Homeland Security.  "What we are looking to build, is a virtual fence; a 21st century virtual fence,” he said. “To be sure, one that does involve old-fashioned fencing and tactical infrastructure⁴, but also one that involves proven tools that have been used, not only in this country, but around the world."

Next spring Boeing will begin building a series of 550-meter towers, equipped with motion detectors⁵, and ground-based cameras, as well as a radar⁶ system that can transmit images to border agents.  The first towers are being built on a 45-kilometer stretch of the Arizona-Mexico border, considered the nation's busiest entry point for illegal immigrants.

 
Jim Albaugh, Boeing
Boeing's Jim Albaugh said, "What we have proposed is a tool kit⁷ of different technologies that we can work with D. H. S. [Department of Homeland Security] to come up with the optimal⁸ approach for solving the issues that we have at the borders."

Secretary Chertoff says Border Patrol agents and National Guardsmen have arrested 10,000 illegal immigrants in recent months, and the Boeing contract is the first in a series of high tech initiatives to further secure the border.

 

1 aerospace   

adj.航空的，宇宙航行的

参考例句：

• The world's entire aerospace industry is feeling the chill winds of recession.全世界的航空航天工业都感受到了经济衰退的寒意。
• Edward Murphy was an aerospace engineer for the US Army.爱德华·墨菲是一名美军的航宇工程师。

2 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

3 high-tech   

adj.高科技的

参考例句：

• The economy is in the upswing which makes high-tech services in more demand too.经济在蓬勃发展，这就使对高科技服务的需求量也在加大。
• The quest of a cure for disease with high-tech has never ceased. 人们希望运用高科技治疗疾病的追求从未停止过。

4 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

5 detectors   

探测器( detector的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The report advocated that all buildings be fitted with smoke detectors. 报告主张所有的建筑物都应安装烟火探测器。
• This is heady wine for experimenters using these neutrino detectors. 对于使用中微子探测器的实验工作者，这是令人兴奋的美酒。 来自英汉非文学 - 科技

6 radar   

n.雷达，无线电探测器

参考例句：

• They are following the flight of an aircraft by radar.他们正在用雷达追踪一架飞机的飞行。
• Enemy ships were detected on the radar.敌舰的影像已显现在雷达上。

7 kit   

n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物

参考例句：

• The kit consisted of about twenty cosmetic items.整套工具包括大约20种化妆用品。
• The captain wants to inspect your kit.船长想检查你的行装。

8 optimal   

adj.最适宜的；最理想的；最令人满意的

参考例句：

• What is the optimal mix of private and public property rights in natural resources?私人和国家的自然资源产权的最适宜的组合是什么？
• Optimal path planning is a key link for the sailing contest.帆船最优行驶路径规划是帆船比赛取胜的关键环节。