在美国渐暗的门前重燃一盏灯
到如今，我的大部分慈善捐赠都用于帮助中欧、东欧和前苏联地区建设开放社会。但近来我开始感到，开放社会的价值观在美国也正处于失修状态，因此我在这里启动了一个更广泛的捐赠计划。
Up until now, most of my philanthropy has been directed to helping build open societies in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. But recently I have come to feel that the values of open society are in disrepair in the United States, so I have embarked upon a broader program of giving here.
我认为最紧迫的问题之一，是国会近期立法中对合法移民的打击。作为一位美国移民和入籍公民，我对那些来美国寻求更好生活的人们抱有深切同情。因此，我对国会最近拒绝向合法居住在美国的非公民提供重要公共援助的行为感到震惊。
One of the most urgent needs, I believe, is presented by the attacks on legal immigrants embodied in recent congressional legislation. As an immigrant to the United States and a naturalized American citizen, I have deep sympathy for those who come to this country in search of a better life. Therefore, I am appalled by Congress’ recent action to deny vital public assistance to noncitizens who are lawfully resident in this country.
由于近期立法，至少 100 万合法移民将失去食品券、未成年子女家庭补助以及其他联邦福利等补助。此外，各州如今被允许（即便不是被鼓励）实施进一步的限制，禁止非公民享受照料残障人士以及打击家庭暴力和虐待儿童的项目。在许多情况下，这些移民与其他美国人缴纳着相同的税款。合法移民在战时也有资格应征入伍。
As a result of recent legislation, at least 1 million legal immigrants stand to lose benefits such as food stamps, Aid to Families With Dependent Children and other federal benefits. Moreover, states are now permitted, if not encouraged, to impose further restrictions, barring noncitizens from programs that care for the disabled and combat domestic violence and child abuse. In many cases, these immigrants are paying the same taxes as other Americans. Legal immigrants are also eligible to be drafted in wartime.
美国向来引领世界，欢迎移民。如今，这一自豪的传统正遭到质疑。自由女神像拥抱那些“渴望自由呼吸的人”，但当前对移民的刻薄攻击却可能令他们窒息。我不能袖手旁观，坐视这一切发生。
The United States has always led the world in welcoming immigrants. That proud tradition is now is question. The Statue of Liberty embraces those “yearning to breathe free,” but the current mean-spirited attack on immigrants threatens to choke them. I cannot stand idly by and watch this happen.
因此，我今天宣布开放社会研究所新美国项目的第一个重大举措：设立“艾玛·拉扎勒斯基金”，紧急拨款 5000 万美元，即刻到位，并持续运作，直至不再需要为止。该基金以诗句镌刻在自由女神像上的诗人命名，大部分资金将用于直接援助合法移民。
Therefore, I am today announcing the first major initiative of the Open Society Institute’s new U.S. program: the Emma Lazarus Fund, an emergency commitment of $ 50 million, available immediately and to stay in place as long as necessary. Named for the poet whose words adorn the Statue of Liberty, the bulk of the fund will be used for direct assistance to legal immigrants.
埃玛·拉扎勒斯基金将聚焦三个活动领域。第一，在适当情况下，它会为希望成为美国公民的合法移民支付入籍申请费用；第二，它会资助那些通过提供英语教学及其他服务帮助合法移民符合入籍资格的社区和社会服务机构；最后，该基金将协助那些在法庭和公共教育活动中就入籍和移民议题展开工作的组织。
The Emma Lazarus Fund will focus on three areas of activity. First, in appropriate instances, it will pay the cost of applying for citizenship for legal immigrants who wish to become naturalized Americans; second, it will assist community and social service organizations that help legal immigrants by providing English-language instruction and other services that help them qualify for citizenship; finally, the fund will assist organizations conducting efforts, both in the courts and through public education campaigns, on the issues of naturalization and immigration.
我不认为一个开放的社会需要开放的边界。但问题的核心在于公正：无论移民身份如何，都应享有平等待遇和法治。我希望艾玛·拉撒路基金能对数千名移民的生活产生重大影响，帮助他们在追寻美国梦的过程中，并让他们充分参与美国的政治生活。如果我今天的这笔善举能实现这一目标，我将视之为我做过的最好的投资之一。
I do not believe that an open society requires open borders. But what is at stake here is justice: equal treatment and the rule of law, regardless of immigration status. I hope that the Emma Lazarus Fund will make a significant impact on the lives of thousands of immigrants, helping them as they search for the American dream and allowing them to participate fully in American political life. If the gesture I am making today can do that, I will consider it one of the best investments I have made.