English @ the Movies: 'Leaving To Chance'

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Lesson 29: A Long Time Ago

Summary Anna and Marsha have a lot of work to do. An advertisement makes them remember their childhood dreams. What do you think they wanted to be? Speaking In this video, learn to say the new words for this lesson. You can also learn about how to use adjectives. Pronunciation Use this video to learn about the noises English speakers make to show they are listening. Conversation Anna: Hello! In Washington, D.C., there are many places that bring history to life. But people who live here often do not have time to see them. They are too busy with work -- like me. Hi, Marsha! Marsha: Hi, Anna! Have a seat. Anna: Thanks. This was a good idea. Working outdoors is nice. Marsha: Um-hum, it is. Anna: I am tired. Today was a busy day at work. And I still have work to do! Marsha: Hmm, that’s too bad. Anna: How are you these days? Marsha: I'm really busy too, Anna. Let’s get to work. Anna: Marsha, look! That bus has a photo of Abraham Lincoln! Marsha: That’s an advertisement for Ford’s Theatre. They have a new show. Anna: They have shows where Abraham Lincoln died? Marsha: Yeah, it’s a working theater and a museum. Anna: I love Lincoln. You know, Marsha, that advertisement reminds me of something. Marsha: Um-hum. What’s that? Anna: When I was a little girl … When I was a little girl … I was not like other children. Marsha: Um-hum, I can believe that. Anna's voice: I was tall, serious child. At the playground the other children played silly games. They played with dart guns. They played on the swings, the slide and the teeter-totter. They also played ball But not me. I loved to read serious books about U.S. presidents. Anna: In fact, I wanted to be … don’t laugh … President of the United States. Marsha: (laughs) Anna: Stop! I know it’s a silly childhood dream. Marsha: I’m sorry. It’s not silly. Guess what I wanted to be? Anna: What? Marsha: I wanted to be... an astronaut. Anna: Really? Marsha's Voice: When I was a kid, I studied the stars and planets. I wanted to fly into outer space! Anna: You know, Marsha, childhood dreams are really important. Marsha: They are. And it’s good to remember them. Anna: Hey! I have an idea. Let’s go. Marsha: Go where? Anna: Let’s go make our childhood dreams come true. Marsha: We’re going to the Air & Space Museum! Yes! Anna: No. We’re going to see a show at Ford’s Theatre just like Abraham Lincoln! It’s not far from here. Marsha: Uh huh. That is your childhood dream. Anna: Good point. Okay, next week, we'll come here and be astronauts. Marsha: Honestly? Anna: Honestly. Anna: Tonight we are seeing a show at Ford’s Theatre, where a man shot President Abraham Lincoln. This is history come to life … and a childhood dream come true! Until next time ...   Writing In this lesson you learn about Anna and Marsha's childhood dreams. What was your childhood dream? What did you want to be? Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice using adjectives and talking about your career dreams with a friend. Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Personalize. When we connect new information to our own interests and experiences, we are personalizing. Personalizing can help us remember new information.  In this week's video, Anna is learning about historic places in Washington, D.C.  The advertisement for Ford's Theatre makes her think of her childhood dream - to be President of the United States. Anna is personalizing because she is connecting new information to her own interest in U.S. Presidents. She decides to act on her interests by going to the theater and learning more about Abraham Lincoln's history. How about you?  Do you ever personalize when you are learning English? Write to us about it in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan  for more details on teaching this strategy. Quiz ​Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz. ______________________________________________________________ New Words advertisement (ad) - n. something (such as a short film or a written notice) that is shown or presented to the public to help sell a product or to make an announcement astronaut - n. a person who travels in a spacecraft into outer space ball - n. a usually round object that is used in a game or sport or as a toy believe - v.to accept or regard (something) as true childhood - n.the period of time when a person is a child come true - expression. to materialize, to become a reality, or become fulfilled dart gun - n. a small toy weapon that throws out small objects with a sharp point at one end die - v. to stop living dream - n. something that you have wanted very much to do, be, or have for a long time Ford’s Theatre - n. Ford's Theatre is a historic theatre in Washington, D.C., used for various stage performances beginning in the 1860s. It is also the site of the shooting of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865. planet - n. a large, round object in space (such as the Earth) that travels around a star (such as the sun) really - adj. without question or doubt—used to make a statement more definite or forceful serious - adj. thoughtful or quiet in appearance or manner shoot - v. - to fire a weapon such as a gun (the past tense is shot) slide - n.a structure with a slippery surface that children slide down star - n.any one of the objects in space that are made of burning gas and that look like points of light in the night sky swing - n. a seat that hangs from ropes or chains and that moves back and forth teeter-totter - n. a long, flat board that is balanced in the middle so that when one end goes up the other end goes down tired - adj. feeling a need to rest or sleep true - adj. agreeing with the facts or not false um–hum / uh-huh - interjection — used to express affirmation, agreement, comprehension, or interest working - adj. doing work or in operation ______________________________________________________________ Free Materials   Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. Each Let's Learn English lesson has an Activity Sheet for extra practice on your own or in the classroom. In this lesson, you can use it to practice using adjectives and talking about your career goals with a friend. For Teachers ​ ​ See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus:  Review simple past and irregular past tense verbs; Using adjectives with correct adjective placement; Infinitives: to read, to be; to work Topics:  Describing physical states & emotions;  Learning Strategy: Personalize Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Using adjectives; Back-channeling noises: Um-Hum, Uh-Huh ______________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.

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New Genetic Test Helps Find Food Poisoning

American scientists are using genetic markers to investigate food poisoning cases linked to romaine lettuce. The Associated Press reports that their use of genetic sequencing is completely changing the discovery of bacteria in food. Genetic sequencing is being used to strengthen investigations and, in some cases, find links between what once seemed to be unrelated diseases. The technology also is uncovering once unknown causes of food poisoning. One such example involved apples covered in caramel, a popular treat in the United States. Up to now, scientists have been looking mainly at one bacteria: listeria. But the search is expanding. By the end of this year, laboratories in all 50 states are expected to also be using genetic sequencing for more common causes of food poisoning. That includes salmonella and the E. coli bacteria linked to the romaine lettuce outbreak. The new technique is also helping disease scientists identify food contamination even before it causes people to get sick.   Lawyer Bill Marler has taken companies to court when food their products sicken people. He said the technique is changing how outbreaks are discovered. Marler said the testing program is still young. He said it is too early to call genetic sequencing a success. But he said it may change how and when outbreaks are found. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports the program. It estimates that 48 million Americans get sick from food poisoning each year. And 3,000 of those people die from such infections. The use of genetic sequencing involves something called whole genome sequencing, which has been used in biology for more than 20 years. A genome is a kind of genetic map. It contains all of the genetic information, or DNA, about an organism. DNA is short for the term deoxyribonucleic acid. The laboratory process identifies most of an organism’s DNA. And scientists use computer programs to compare the DNA of test specimens to see if they are the same as the organism and how resistant they are to current medicines. The technique makes the lab studies faster, less costly and more automated, said Robert Tauxe, one of the CDC’s leading experts on food poisoning. Plans are to use the technology against several bacteria that cause food poisoning. But to date, all the tests have involved listeria. The bacteria causes around 1,600 cases of food poisoning nationwide each year. But it is a very deadly infection, killing nearly one in five people who get it. It can take weeks for people to develop signs of the disease. In the past, some patients died by the time health officials began to recognize the problem. For nearly 15 years (from 1983-1997), only five listeria outbreaks were identified in the United States. They were relatively large, with an average of 54 cases for each outbreak. That is how it was with other food poisoning outbreaks. Tauxe said most foodborne outbreaks were found because they happened in one place, like a town with a popular eatery where people became sick. Outbreaks were studied by asking people what they ate before they got sick. Investigators then compared notes to see what patients had in common. But the science took a big step in the 1990s, after a major outbreak happened in the Seattle, Washington area. Four deaths and more than 700 other infections eventually were linked to undercooked hamburgers from a Jack in the Box restaurant. The meat contained the bacteria E. coli. The outbreak led the CDC to develop a program that used a technique called pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. With this, investigators could look at a bacteria’s DNA in parts. The program helped health officials more easily link cases. But it was not perfect. It was unable to make exact matches and sometimes missed when cases were related. Then came whole genome sequencing. The CDC began using the technique in food poisoning investigations in 2013. In the beginning, state laboratories sent samples to a CDC laboratory in Georgia for testing. Now, the CDC is working to make the technology available in all 50 states.

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Korean Leaders Agree to Goal of Removing Nuclear Arms

The leaders of North and South Korea held talks in the border village of Panmunjom on Friday. The talks began with a historic first step as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed the line that has divided the Korean peninsula for over 60 years. At the end of the meeting, the two countries released a joint declaration in support of peace and removal of nuclear weapons from the area. South Korean President Moon Jae-in announced what the sides are calling the Panmunjom Declaration. Moon said, “Today, Chairman Kim Jong Un and I confirmed that the realization of the nuclear-free Korean peninsula through complete denuclearization is our common goal.”   Kim also expressed support for the joint declaration and earlier agreements between the two Koreas. He said, “We have decided to open this transitional phase of improvement in relations and development by thoroughly implementing the North-South Declarations and all the agreements that have already been adopted.” He spoke without explaining or providing details of the deal to end his country’s nuclear program. Historic crossing Kim Jong Un is now the first North Korean leader to enter South Korea. He was greeted by Moon, who waited on the South Korean side of the demilitarization line between the two countries. The Korean War armistice was signed 65 years ago in Panmunjom. The armistice ended the fighting, but a peace agreement was never signed. The two leaders smiled as they shook hands along the line dividing North and South Korea. Kim then stepped over a cement marker into the South. Kim said he was “excited to meet at this historic place” and later wondered "why it took so long" to get there. “It really has a strong emotional impact on me,” said Kim about the warm welcome he received from South Koreans. President Moon told Kim he would like to visit North Korea one day. Laughing, the two together momentarily stepped over the border marker into the North’s side of the demilitarized zone. The two leaders agreed to continue efforts to expand contacts. Ties had grown increasingly tense over North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests, especially efforts to develop nuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missiles. When fully ready, those weapons would have the ability to hit targets in the United States mainland. “We declared together that there will be no more war on the Korean peninsula, and that a new era of peace has begun,” said Moon. The joint declaration “confirmed the common goal of realizing complete denuclearization, and a nuclear free Korean Peninsula.” It also recognized as “meaningful and crucial” North Korea’s recent offer to suspend nuclear and missile tests, and to close its Punggye-ri nuclear test site. However, some observers have questioned whether these measures are meaningful since they only suspend, not reduce the country’s nuclear activities. Trump-Kim summit The declaration is meant to prepare talks between the North Korean leader and U.S. President Donald Trump. The two men are expected to meet in May or June. South Korean officials have told the Trump administration that Kim is prepared to promise to completely undo North Korea’s nuclear program. In exchange, he reportedly wants security guarantees from the U.S. government, development aid and an easing of international sanctions against the North.  Later Friday, President Trump praised the promises of peace and denuclearization. But he noted on Twitter that "only time will tell" if those goals are reached.   While Trump has expressed hope of reaching a nuclear deal with North Korea, he has said he will walk out of the meeting with Kim if there are signs it “is not going to be fruitful.”   Brian Padden reported this story for VOANews.com. George Grow adapted his report for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   transitional – adj. of or involving change phase – n. a step in a process; a short period of time thoroughly – adj. completely; exactly implement – v. to carry out adopt – v. to take up; to officially accept and put into effect impact – n. a major or powerful effect zone – n. area ballistic – adj. relating to or involving the science of moving objects in flight crucial – adj. important sanction - n. a measure designed to punish a country for failure to obey international laws or rules   We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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North and South Korean Leaders Open Summit

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met at the village of Panmunjom, the historic site where the Korean War armistice was signed in 1953, for the start of talks between the two countries.

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'I Wanted to Come and Honor Them:' Lynching Memorial Open in US

Thousands of black people in America were murdered between the end of the Civil War in 1865 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Some were hanged or shot. Others were beaten to death or burned alive. The attacks were called lynchings. Most of the murders took place in the American South. More than six million African-Americans fled north as a result. Very few of the killers were officially charged with the lynchings. Those who were charged were rarely punished. Now, a memorial has opened in Montgomery, Alabama, to remember that dark time in American history. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is a project of the nonprofit Equal Justice Initiative. The organization says the site is the nation’s first to document racial inequality in America from slavery to the issues of today. Bryan Stevenson leads the EJI. He said, "In the American South, we don't talk about slavery. We don't have monuments and memorials that confront the legacy of lynching. We haven't really confronted the difficulties of segregation.” Stevenson said the United States is still troubled by the history as a result. The memorial brings to mind the image of a racist hanging. Hundreds of brown metal rectangles are suspended from the ceiling of a large outdoor site. The 800 objects represent 800 areas of the United States where lynchings were known to take place. Each rectangle is about two meters tall, around the height of a person. Each includes the names of known lynching victims, around 4,400 in all. The lynchings took place between 1877 and 1950. Visitors enter the site at eye level with the monuments. As they walk down into the site, the rectangles seem to rise higher and higher above them. Identifying as many victims as possible was very important. Stevenson said, "Most people in this country can't name a single African-American who was lynched between 1877 and 1950 even though thousands of African-Americans were subjected to this violence.” The EJI says one idea was common to lynchings that made them different from other murders overlooked by the law: They demonstrated a desire to terrorize minorities and protect white rule. Some lynchings drew huge crowds and were even photographed. However, police and other officials usually ruled that they were carried out by “persons unknown.” The memorial and a joint museum nearby tell a story that covers slavery, racial separation, violence and today's overcrowded prisons. The United States has almost 7 million people in prison or on conditional release. The rates of minority imprisonment are much higher than imprisonment rates of white people. E.M. Beck is sociology professor emeritus at the University of Georgia. He has studied lynching for 30 years and has written books on the subject. He said the memorial might understate the amount of lynching, even though it lists thousands of victims. "I think it's an underestimate because the number and amount of violence in early Reconstruction in the 1870s will probably never be known,” he said. “There was just an incredible amount of violence taking place during that period of time.” The EJI searched old newspapers, libraries and court documents to find the stories of lynching victims. The metal monument is a memorial to all of them, with room for names to be added as additional victims are identified. Many people cried during their visit to the memorial. Toni Battle had three ancestors who were lynched. She travelled more than 3,700 kilometers from San Francisco to attend the opening. “I wanted to come and honor them and also those in my family that couldn’t be here,” Battle said, as tears fell from her eyes. Angel Smith Dixon came from Lawrenceville, Georgia. She said the memorial marks the first time the nation has publicly mourned the tragedy of lynching. “You can’t grieve something you can’t see,” she said. That is the first step in healing, she added. The crowd included black and white visitors.  Launch events included a “Peace and Justice Summit” with celebrities and activists like Ava DuVernay, Marian Wright Edelman and Gloria Steinem. I'm Caty Weaver. The Associated Press reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English.Ashley Thompson was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story confront – v. to deal with (something) in an honest and direct way​ legacy – n. something that happened in the past or that comes from someone in the past​ segregation – n. the practice or policy of keeping people of different races, religions, etc., separate from each other​ rectangle – n. a four-sided shape that is made up of two pairs of parallel lines and that has four right angles​ grieve – v. to feel or show grief or sadness​ celebrity – n. a famous person

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Learning Passive Modals: It Can Be Done!

  Imagine that you are planning to travel to another country. There is a lot that you need to do before you leave. Here are some things that might need to be done: Your passport has to be renewed. Your hair still needs to be cut. Your shoes should be repaired. And your dog is supposed to be taken to a friend’s house.  All of these sentences use either modals or something called “phrasal modals," and they are in the passive voice. You may remember that, in a passive sentence, the person performing the action is not stated because it is not very important to know who that person is. For example, in the sentence about the haircut, the listener does not know who will cut your hair. But that is ok, because it is not very important to that statement. You may also recall that, for the passive voice, we use the structure be + past participle, as you noticed in all of the example sentences. Now, let’s move on to a quick reminder about modals: Modals are helping verbs that express possibility, ability, duty, permission or advisability. Words like can, could, may, might, must and should – and even will – are all modals. But modals also include something called “phrasal modals” – phrases such as has to, ought to and be supposed to. As you heard in our examples at the start of the program, we sometimes need the passive form of modals and phrasal modals. But, don’t worry! This is surprisingly simple. The structure is: modal or modal phrase + be + the past participle. ​For example, in the sentence about the haircut, need is the modal. Then comes the verb be, and its form does not change. And, cut is the past participle of the irregular verb to cut. The past-passive form Ok, now imagine that some of the things on your travel “to do” list are complete. But, some of the other things still need to be completed. How can you tell someone this using the past tense of modals and phrasal modals? For all modals and some phrasal modals, the only difference is changing be to have been. So, the structure becomes modal or modal phrase + have been + the past participle. Listen to an example. My shoes should have been repaired last week. In this sentence, should is the modal. Then comes have been – which stays the same – plus repaired, which is the past participle of the verb to repair. But for other phrasal modals – ones that contain the verb be – the be changes to past tense. This includes the phrasal modals be supposed to, be able to and be allowed to. The structure for this is: past tense form of be (with) phrasal modal + have been + the past participle. Here is an example: My dog was supposed to have been taken to a friend’s house. Here, the be changes to was. And notice that the words have been still do not change. And, the past participle of the verb to take is taken. ​Asking a question But, what if you want to ask a question? Using the question form of many English grammar structures can be tricky. So let’s try to make questions out of a few of our example sentences. When asking a yes-or-no question, the question can begin with one of several words. For instance, it may begin with the modal, such as should, can and could, or with the word do, did or does or is or are? Here is an example with does: Does your passport have to be renewed? Here is one with is: Is your dog supposed to be taken to a friend’s house? And, here is an example with should: Should your shoes be repaired by next week? Avoiding the passive At times, it is best to avoid the passive voice; the sentence structure can create unclear statements. And, in some types of academic writing, such as essays, passive voice is usually discouraged. However, in other types of written and spoken communication, it is readily used. You will see and hear the passive voice in written and broadcast journalism, scientific writing and sometimes in formal letters. And, of course, we use the passive voice in informal speech and writing. So, it is useful to know how to use passive modals. What can you do? So, what can you do to practice? Here are a few possibilities. Feel free to write your answers in the comments section: 1. Imagine that you manage a company. You must write a memo to remind your employees what the company policies are. This includes dress code, social behavior and use of the kitchen and appliances. Start your memo: “This is a friendly reminder about office rules.” Then, use passive modals to write the rules. For example: “Dishes may be used, but they must not be left dirty in the sink.” 2. Think about what is happening around your city. What are some things that need to, should, could or may happen or have already happened? For example, do the streets need to be repaired? For this practice, you can use the passive form or past-passive form. Here’s an example: “The new metro station should be completed in 2018.” That's the passive modal. Or “The new metro should have been completed in March.” That's the past-passive modal. And, if you're feeling brave, you can even try using the question form of passive or past-passive modals. Learning these grammar structures is not too difficult, and I am here to tell you this: it can be done. I’m Alice Bryant.   Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   phrase - n. a group of two or more words that express a single idea but do not usually form a complete sentence irregular - adj. not normal or usual practice - v. to do something again and again in order to become better at it discourage - v. to try to make people not want to do something memo - n. a usually brief written message from one person or department in an organization or company dress code - n. a set of rules about what clothing may and may not be worn at a school, office, restaurant, et cetera sink - n. a wide bowl that has a faucet for water and a drain at the bottom and is usually positioned in a counter  brave - adj. feeling or showing no fear

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News Words: Ominous

What is an ominous warning? Find out in this week's News Words.

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Scientists Say N. Korea's Nuclear Test Site Likely Collapsed

  Chinese researchers say the mountain above North Korea’s main nuclear test site has likely collapsed. If so, the collapse would make the test site unsafe for future testing, and the area would need to be examined for any leaking radiation.   Scientists at the University of Science and Technology of China carried out the research. Their findings may give new meaning to North Korean President Kim Jong Un’s recent announcement. He said this month that his country was ending its nuclear testing program ahead of planned meetings with the leaders of South Korea and the United States.   The results also support findings of an earlier study by a group of Chinese researchers. That report was published in March by the journal Geophysical Research Letters. The latest study has also been accepted for publication by Geophysical Research Letters. What could have happened? The data in the most recent Chinese study was collected following the most powerful of North Korea’s six nuclear device tests, on September 3. That test was at least 10 times stronger than anything the country had tested before. Scientists say the explosion may have helped cause four earthquakes in the following weeks. Earthquakes do not naturally happen in the area around the test site. The report by University of Science and Technology researchers said the first of those earthquakes was “an onsite collapse toward the nuclear test center.” They urged officials to continue to watch for leaks of radioactive material. Special concern to China North Korea’s nuclear tests are of special concern to China; the test site is less than 100 kilometers from the China-North Korea border. North Korean nuclear tests have caused seismic events in Chinese border towns and cities. The explosions have led to evacuations of schools and offices, and fears of wind-carried radiation. Chinese officials have said they have not measured any radiation risk from recent samples collected along the China-North Korea border. Relations between China and North Korea have been worsening. Last month, North Korean President Kim Jong Un made a visit to Beijing, after Chinese officials put United Nations economic sanctions against the North in place. The sanctions reduced trade between the two countries by as much as 90 percent. On Saturday, North Korea announced it would close its nuclear testing site and suspend nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests. U.S. President Donald Trump called the moves “big progress.”  However, the North did not say whether it would give up its nuclear weapons or limit its production of missiles and their related parts. I’m Jonathan Evans.   The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   journal - n. a magazine that reports on things of special interest to a particular group of people leak - v.  to let something (such as a liquid or gas) in or out through a hole in a surface onsite - adv. at the place where a business or activity happens seismic - adj. of, relating to, or caused by an earthquake sample - n. a small amount of something that gives you information about the thing it was taken from sanctions - n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc. — usually plural

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Lawmakers Consider Issue of International Child Kidnappings

  An American doctor recently gave an emotional speech about his son to Senate lawmakers in Washington. Chris Brann told lawmakers on Tuesday about the abduction of his son Nicholas, whose mother moved him to Brazil in 2012. Brann said his experience of the loss “is best described as a living death.” Nicholas’ mother, who was born in Brazil, is no longer married to Brann. Such kidnapping is not unusual. In the United States, hundreds of international child abductions by parents are reported each year. The rate of return of children is said to be about 45 percent. Lawmakers of both American political parties say the U.S. can and must do a better job of recovering its youngest citizens. They say such abductions must be prevented. Chuck Grassley is the Republican Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He said Congress and the administration can do more to end the kidnappings. Laws against abductions The United States is one of 82 countries that have signed the 1980 Hague Convention to fight international child abduction. The agreement requires nations to quickly return minors illegally taken to other countries by a parent. In the U.S., the 1993 International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act is a federal law. It established federal punishments for a parent who violates another parent’s rights of custody. Another law on the issue is the 2014 International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act. It permits the State Department to punish nations that fail to help in solving international abduction cases involving American children. Punishments include public condemnation, suspending U.S. development aid or cancelling state visas. However, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Carl Risch said the department did not often use such measures. “Continued diplomatic engagement is our best tool to promote long-term institutional changes in foreign governments,” he said. Chris Brann is dissatisfied with efforts to bring back his son. He said the State Department is not using all the tools it can use. Noelle Hunter also spoke to the committee. She told of how her former husband took her daughter Muna to Mali in 2011. The Senate’s Republican leader Mitch McConnell led an effort to push Malian officials to return Muna. She came back to America in 2014. Hunter said, “If every member of Congress with kidnapped constituents would begin to regularly inquire of federal agencies and the [foreign] nations in which they are held, these children are going to come home.” The committee’s top Democratic Party member, Dianne Feinstein, supported efforts by lawmakers on the issue. But she said her state, California, had hundreds of parents with a child missing in another country. Feinstein called for more power for the State Department and other to deal with the issue. Federal officials say preventing abductions is the best way to deal with the problem. They note that a program is in place to have U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents act if a child is at risk of abduction. Don Conroy directs the agency’s National Targeting Center. He said, “Returning a child is sometimes very complex. Prevention is a key piece of this.” On the issue of abductions, both Democrats and Republicans said they want to see more done. I’m Mario Ritter.   Michael Bowman reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   abduction –n. to take someone away by force or against their will custody –n. the responsibility to take care of a child engagement –n. involvement in something promote –v. to give support to something, to make people aware of something institutional –adj. of or about an established organization constituents –n. people who live and vote in an area regularly –adv. usually inquire –v. to ask about key –adj. major; important We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Central American Asylum-Seekers Reach US Border

  About 130 migrants from Central America have arrived at the United States border with Mexico seeking asylum. The group has been called a “caravan” and it has been sharply criticized by U.S. President Donald Trump and other U.S. government officials. The Associated Press, or AP, reports that two buses, carrying mostly women and children, arrived late Tuesday in the Mexican border city of Tijuana. They stopped at two migrant shelters close to the border. U.S. lawyers planned to lead informational meetings later this week on U.S. asylum law. They will tell the immigrants what to expect when they seek asylum. The first groups plan to try to enter the U.S. on Sunday at a border crossing near San Diego, California. Trump opposes entry of caravans Trump and other officials have described the caravans and asylum seekers as evidence that security at the border with Mexico is a serious problem. The president tweeted this week that he opposed permitting such groups into the country. Activist organizations have used caravans for years to bring attention to the issue of Central American asylum-seekers. Many migrants travel to the U.S. hoping to receive asylum. They say they are escaping political persecution or threats from criminal gangs. The latest caravan began on March 25 in the Mexican city of Tapachula, near Mexico’s border with Guatemala. It has received the most attention since the president has said the group’s efforts are an example why a border wall is necessary.  The asylum-seekers said they plan to turn themselves in to U.S. officials at the border. Taxi driver Jovanne Torres is from El Salvador. He arrived in Tijuana on Tuesday.  He told the AP that the U.S. president’s criticism of the caravan makes him believe he will not get asylum for himself, his wife and his two young daughters. But he still plans to try. Torres said he fled his hometown near the city of San Salvador and joined the caravan after a gang threatened to kill him and his wife. He said this was because he had refused to give a free ride to a gang member. He said he could be killed if he goes home, and wants to join family members in Houston. “Trump’s words have made it difficult for us,” he said. A history of busy borders This caravan’s numbers are relatively small.  However, in 2014, about 200,000 people were arrested at Mexico’s border with the state of Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. And in 2016, thousands of Haitians seeking to enter the U.S. turned themselves in to U.S. border agents at the Tijuana-San Diego border crossing. The San Diego border crossing was overwhelmed by Haitians. U.S. officials then worked with Mexican border officials to create a ticketing system.  This let the Haitians in over time. Some waited their turn in Tijuana for more than five weeks. Pete Flores is director of the San Diego field office of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He says his office has space to hold about 300 people at the crossing.  Then, asylum-seekers are sent to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  Officials of that agency decide if people should be held for a longer period or if they can be released until their trial date. Recently, asylum seekers wait only a few hours, never overnight, Flores said. Asylum-seekers first need to establish with asylum officers that they have a “credible fear” of returning to their homeland.  If they pass, they are permitted to enter the U.S. and face a sometimes long process before U.S. immigration judges. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said Wednesday that anyone who makes false claims to immigration officials could face criminal prosecution. She said that is the case for anyone who helps immigrants to make false claims. The secretary also said asylum seekers in the caravan should seek protection in the first safe country they reach. That includes Mexico, she said. I’m Phil Dierking.   Elliot Spagat reported this story for the Assoicated Press. Phil Dierking adapted the report for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. What is the policy for asylum seekers in your country? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   caravan - n. a group of vehicles (such as cars or wagons) traveling together​ disgrace - v. to cause (someone) to feel ashamed​ gang - n. a group of criminals​ persecute - v. to treat (someone) cruelly or unfairly especially because of race or religious or political beliefs​ overwhelm - v. to cause (someone) to have too many things to deal with​ prosecution - n. the act or process of holding a trial against a person who is accused of a crime to see if that person is guilty​ ticket - n.  a piece of paper that allows you to see a show, participate in an event, travel on a vehicle, etc.​ tweet - n. to write a brief message (called a tweet) on the Internet using a service called Twitter​

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