拜登总统关于《排华法案》废除80周年的声明

Statement from President Joe Biden on the 80th Anniversary of the Repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act

2023年12月17日

DECEMBER 17, 2023

我们的国家建立在人人生而平等，理应受到平等对待的基本理念之上。但在61年的时间里，《排华法案》（Chinese Exclusion Act ）没有兑现这一承诺。该法案把我们的移民制度当成武器，歧视整整一个族裔群体，随后又进一步歧视欧洲和整个亚洲的许多群体。该法案以及美国其他领域的种族主义和仇外心理，是反华人的“驱逐”（Driving Out”）时代的一部分，其中包括石泉城（Rock Springs）和地狱谷（Hells Canyon）大屠杀。1943年，《排华法案》被废除，随后制定的法律使美国移民制度更好地反映了我们作为一个移民国家的价值观。

Our nation was founded on the fundamental idea that we are created equal and deserve to be treated equally. But for 61 years, the Chinese Exclusion Act failed to live up to that promise. It weaponized our immigration system to discriminate against an entire ethnic group and was followed by further discrimination against many in Europe and all of Asia. The Act, along with racism and xenophobia in other parts of American life, was part of the anti-Chinese “Driving Out” era which included the Rock Springs and Hells Canyon massacres. In 1943, the Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed and it was followed by laws that led to an immigration system that better reflected our values as a nation of immigrants.

值此纪念日，我们谨记那些其生活、家庭和社区受到不可挽回的伤害的人们。我们牢记那些勇敢的、多元的声音——从弗雷德里克·道格拉斯（Frederick Douglass）到布兰奇·布鲁斯（Blanche Bruce）、赛珍珠（Pearl Buck）、美国犹太人委员会（American Jewish Committee）以及许多其他人——他们团结一致地高声反对该法案并要求建立一个更公平、更公正的移民制度。我们认识到，尽管我们取得了进展，但仇恨永远不会消失。它只会隐藏起来。今天，有些人仍然将移民妖魔化，并煽动不宽容的气焰。这是错误的。我竞选总统是为了重振美国之魂。将人民团结起来，并确保我们绝不为仇恨提供藏匿所。弘扬多元化是我们国家的实力所在。

On this anniversary, we remember those whose lives, families, and communities were irreparably harmed. We remember the brave and diverse voices – from Frederick Douglass to Blanche Bruce to Pearl Buck to the American Jewish Committee and so many others – who spoke up in solidarity against that Act and demanded a fairer and more just immigration system. And we recognize that despite the progress we have made, hate never goes away. It only hides. Today, there are those who still demonize immigrants and fan the flames of intolerance. It’s wrong. I ran for President to restore the soul of America. To bring people together and make sure we give hate no safe harbor. To celebrate the diversity that is our country’s strength.

多少代人以来，华裔人口丰富了我们的国家——从1800年代付出巨大艰辛修建横贯大陆的铁路的中国劳工，到在我们军队服役的华裔美国人，再到今天的作家、艺术家、科学家、企业家和学者。我们向他们以及所有继续为国家做出卓越贡献的移民致敬。

For generations, people of Chinese heritage have enriched our country – from Chinese laborers who did backbreaking work to build the transcontinental railroad in the 1800s to the Chinese Americans who serve in our military, to the authors, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and scholars of today. We honor them, and all immigrants, who continue to make extraordinary contributions to our nation.