Work leave

During World War II, Japanese Americans were seen as a source of replacement labor for the farms in Utah, Idaho, and Montana. Starting in May 1942, camp inmates could obtain temporary leaves to work in agriculture, either returning to the camps every night or living on the farm for an extended period. In 1942 alone, some 10,000 Japanese Americans left the camps to perform this seasonal work. Their labor was vital to the agriculture industry and thus to the war effort.

World War II (231)
Leaving camp (287)
Work leave (326)

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326 items

doc Permit to extend seasonal work leave (ddr-densho-25-17)

From 1943 until 1945, the Iseri family lived in Weiser, Idaho, under the seasonal work leave program established by the WRA. Under this program, Japanese Americans could apply for permits to live and work on nearby farms. When Akio (Oscar) Iseri's permit expired, he applied for an extension.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-25-17/

doc Family travel permit (ddr-densho-25-111)

From 1943 until 1945, the Iseri family resided in Ontario, Oregon, as part of the War Relocation Authority's Seasonal Work Leave Program. In early 1945 they applied to move to Hunt, Idaho, and received this telegram granting permission.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-25-111/

doc Memorandum regarding travel permits (ddr-densho-25-109)

An Japanese American who applied for a travel permit received a memorandum entailing the requirements for obtaining such a permit. After applying, a week often elapsed before permission was granted.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-25-109/

doc Letter regarding travel permit (ddr-densho-25-108)

In 1945, Matahichi Iseri applied for a travel permit to visit friends at the Minidoka concentration camp in Idaho. His permit was denied, since his reason for wanting to visit did not fit into any of the permit categories.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-25-108/

doc Memorandum from the WRA to persons on seasonal leave (ddr-densho-25-36)

The Iseris had originally been held at Tule Lake concentration camp before it became a segregation camp. At the time of the conversion, they were living in Weiser, Idaho, under the seasonal work leave program. This letter, which was sent to the Iseris in Idaho, explained the circumstances surrounding the conversion of Tule Lake.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-25-36/

doc Seasonal Work Leave permit for an Issei (ddr-densho-25-40)

Matahichi Iseri and his family participated in the Seasonal Work Leave Program, and were thus issued permits to become temporary laborers on a farm in Weiser, Idaho. This memo to Matahichi Iseri from the Tule Lake Leave Office detailed instructions for Matahichi's departure from Tule Lake to Weiser.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-25-40/

doc Memorandum regarding changes in the seasonal work leave program (ddr-densho-25-86)

This memorandum to Japanese Americans on seasonal leave informed them of changes in the program. The Iseri family had been permitted to move to Weiser, Idaho, under the leave program and received this memorandum in August 1943.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-25-86/

doc Alien permit for seasonal work leave (ddr-densho-25-18)

In 1943, the Iseri family lived in Weiser, Idaho, under the seasonal work leave program. This program enabled Japanese Americans to apply for permits to live and work on nearby farms. Kisa Iseri, an Issei, had to apply for a special permit in order to join the rest of her family in Idaho. A list of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-25-18/

doc Alien's leave permit (ddr-densho-25-34)

In April 1943, Matahichi Iseri and his family were granted permits to leave the Tule Lake concentration camp to go to Weiser, Idaho, as part of the seasonal work leave program. Because he was an Issei, Matahichi Iseri had to apply for a special permit.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-25-34/

doc Seasonal work leave program letter (ddr-densho-25-33)

As part of the seasonal work leave program, Matahichi Iseri and his family worked as farm laborers in Weiser, Idaho, from 1943 until 1945. They later applied for extensions, and this letter from a relocation officer was sent to Matahichi Iseri along with the family's extensions of leave.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-25-33/

img Sugar beet crew (ddr-densho-60-1)

Sugar beet crew at the Barlow Ranch in Vale, Oregon. Rick Sato is on far right, wearing leather jacket.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-60-1/

doc Japanese May Take Jobs, Says W.R.A. Director (November 21, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-860)

The Seattle Daily Times, November 21, 1942, p. 1

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-860/

doc Special Travel Permit (ddr-densho-205-4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-205-4/

doc Travel Permit for Evacuees on Seasonal Leave or Indefinite Leave (Trial Period) (ddr-densho-203-40)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-203-40/

doc Travel Permit for Evacuees on Seasonal Leave or Indefinite Leave (Trial Period) (ddr-densho-203-26)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-203-26/

doc Letter to an Issei man regarding work opportunity (ddr-densho-203-1)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-203-1/

doc Travel Permit for Evacuees on Seasonal Leave or Indefinite Leave (Trial Period) (ddr-densho-203-6)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-203-6/

doc Seattle Nisei On Iowa Paper (October 21, 1943) (ddr-densho-56-967)

The Seattle Daily Times, October 21, 1943, p. 22

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-967/

doc Some Japs Sent to Outside Jobs (December 18, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-870)

The Seattle Daily Times, December 18, 1942, p. 11

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-870/

doc "Vanguard Returns To Manzanar From Beet Fields" (ddr-densho-68-62)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-68-62/

doc "Can't Harvest Strawberries: Manzanars Pick Idaho Beets" (ddr-densho-68-42)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-68-42/

doc "21 Young Japanese Islanders Leave Manzanar For Jobs" (ddr-densho-68-56)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-68-56/

doc "Islanders Find Work on Idaho Farms" (ddr-densho-68-80)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-68-80/

doc Envelope and letters to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama and Miriam Koyama (ddr-one-5-37)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, and daughter, Miriam Kiyo Koyama. Postmarked October 6, 1942. To the left of the postmark “Oct 11, 1942,” is written in red pencil. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "Censored" stamp from Camp Livingston. Inside the envelope are …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-37/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from William Koyama (ddr-one-5-64)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama in Santa Fe Detention Center from his son, William Koyama, at Minidoka. Envelope is postmarked August 3, 1943. In red pencil "8/10-43" is written above the receiver's information. The letter from William Koyama is yellowed and water-damaged. At the bottom of the letter is an "EXAMINED" stamp with unknown initals. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-64/