Returning Home
Before internees could leave the camps, they were required to complete an application to completely check out of the camps. By 1946, all people of Japanese ancestry were checked out of the camps.
Men Question
27. Are you willing to serve in the armed force of the United States on combat duty, wherever ordered?
Women Question
27. If the opportunity presented itself and you are found qualified, would you volunteer for the Army Nurse Corps or the WAAC?
Both
28. Will you swear unqualified allegiance to the United States of America and faithfully defend the United Sates from any or all attack by foreign or domestic forces, and foreswear any form of allegiance or disobedience to the Japanese emperor or any other foreign government, power, or organization?
Men Question
27. Are you willing to serve in the armed force of the United States on combat duty, wherever ordered?
Women Question
27. If the opportunity presented itself and you are found qualified, would you volunteer for the Army Nurse Corps or the WAAC?
Both
28. Will you swear unqualified allegiance to the United States of America and faithfully defend the United Sates from any or all attack by foreign or domestic forces, and foreswear any form of allegiance or disobedience to the Japanese emperor or any other foreign government, power, or organization?
Restarting their lives was all but easy. Many Japanese Americans lost everything due to the internment, including their homes and businesses.
Others returned to their homes to face the everlasting hatred and hostility from their Caucasian neighbors. After internment, many could not start their lives again due to their major losses, which resulted in multiple suicides.
Others returned to their homes to face the everlasting hatred and hostility from their Caucasian neighbors. After internment, many could not start their lives again due to their major losses, which resulted in multiple suicides.
H.R. 442 (The Civil Liberties Act of 1988)
Soon after World War II, President Harry Truman signed the Japanese American Evacuation Claims of 1948. This allowed people of Japanese ancestry to file claims for damages to or loss of real and personal property as a result of being relocated to internment camps in 1942. However, it proved to be ineffective due to the lack of proof by any claims.
After a period of relative inactivity, the rise of the civil rights movement and growing activism in the Japanese American community in the 1960s began seeking reparations for the injustice done upon the Japanese Americans who were forced to relocate to War Relocation Centers. In 1979, Senator Daniel Inouye with support from fellow congressmen called for a commission to study the relocation during 1942. After multiple hearings in multiple cities with testimonies from over 700 witnesses, a combination of Japanese American legislators, the House of Democratic Leaders, and multiple community groups, the bill was secured. And on August 10th, 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 into place.
By signing this bill, reparations were granted to surviving Japanese victims who were relocated to the camps during World War II. The survivors received $20,000 each in reparation and a formal presidential apology.
After a period of relative inactivity, the rise of the civil rights movement and growing activism in the Japanese American community in the 1960s began seeking reparations for the injustice done upon the Japanese Americans who were forced to relocate to War Relocation Centers. In 1979, Senator Daniel Inouye with support from fellow congressmen called for a commission to study the relocation during 1942. After multiple hearings in multiple cities with testimonies from over 700 witnesses, a combination of Japanese American legislators, the House of Democratic Leaders, and multiple community groups, the bill was secured. And on August 10th, 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 into place.
By signing this bill, reparations were granted to surviving Japanese victims who were relocated to the camps during World War II. The survivors received $20,000 each in reparation and a formal presidential apology.
Apology from President Bush
"We can never fully right the wrongs of the past. But we can take a clear stand of justice and recognize that serious injustices were done to Japanese Americans during World War II."
-President George H. W. Bush, 1990
On October 3, 1941, three years after President Reagan signed H.R. 442, President George Bush created an apology letter issued to survivors of the Japanese internment camps. In his letter, President Bush recognizes the injustice of relocating and interning Japanese Americans during World War II and states that the U.S. has learned from the drastic event and has since changed.
"We can never fully right the wrongs of the past. But we can take a clear stand of justice and recognize that serious injustices were done to Japanese Americans during World War II."
-President George H. W. Bush, 1990
On October 3, 1941, three years after President Reagan signed H.R. 442, President George Bush created an apology letter issued to survivors of the Japanese internment camps. In his letter, President Bush recognizes the injustice of relocating and interning Japanese Americans during World War II and states that the U.S. has learned from the drastic event and has since changed.