Expatriation/repatriation/deportation

From 1943 to 1946, over 20,000 Japanese Americans applied to leave the United States for Japan in a process called "repatriation" (for Issei as non-citizens) or "expatriation" (for Nisei as citizens). Some Issei considered repatriation preferable to remaining in a country that had long discriminated against them. For Nisei, who had rarely been to Japan, expatriation meant renouncing their U.S. citizenship. Some were pressured to do so by family members or extremists; others were bitter about their mistreatment by the government. In total, only 4,724 ended up leaving for Japan directly from the camps and many eventually returned to the U.S. Nearly all Nisei who wanted to were able to regain their citizenship, although the process was long and difficult.

World War II (231)
Resistance and dissidence (84)
Expatriation/repatriation/deportation (217)

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217 items

doc The Newell Star, Vol. II, No. 47 (November 23, 1945) (ddr-densho-284-101)

Selected article titles: "Sail from L.A. Dec. 2: 325 to Leave Center for Hawaii Next Friday" (p. 1), "First Group of 'Repats' Leaves Tule Lake Today" (p. 1), "Renunciant Case Draws Comment from S.F. Paper" (p. 2), and "Charles Miller: Gives Report on Northern Calif. Housing Facilities" (p. 3).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-101/

doc The Newell Star, Extra (November 17, 1945) (ddr-densho-284-100)

Special publication titled "Justice Department Repatriation: First Departure Next Friday."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-100/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. II, No. 6 (February 9, 1945) (ddr-densho-284-55)

Selected article titles: "Notice to Prospective Repatriates Received" (pp. 1-2), "Equal Treatment Assured Students" (p. 1), and "Canada Uncertain on Segregation" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-55/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. II, No. 52 (December 28, 1945) (ddr-densho-284-110)

Selected article titles: "Tule Parolees to Be Granted Hearings Soon" (p. 1), "Justice Dept.: Renunciants May Now Apply for Hearings" (pp. 1-2), "3550 Voluntary Repatriates En Route to Japan" (p. 1), and "Need for More Workers Announced by Placement" (p. 2).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-110/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 6 (April 13, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-11)

Selected article titles: "Co-ordinators Tender Resignations: Return to Normal State Given Reason for Action" (p. 1, 3), "H. Black Quells Segregation and Repatriation Rumors" (p. 1, 4), "Reserve Corps Status Defined" (p. 1), and "Fiscal Section Reveals 5011 Colonists on WRA Payroll" (p. 2).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-11/

doc The Newell Star, Extra (October 26, 1945) (ddr-densho-284-94)

Special publication titled "From Department of Justice: Repatriation Announcement Made."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-94/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 16 (June 15, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-23)

Selected article titles: "Graduation for 120 Seniors on Friday" (p. 1), "Repatriation Requests in Transit to Japan" (PP. 1-2), and "All Meetings, Entertainments Must Be Registered with Police" (p. 2).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-23/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 5 (April 6, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-10)

Selected article titles: "Sentence Nine Draft Evaders" (p. 1), "Duplicate Forms Needed for Repatriation-Records" (p. 1), "Personnel Mess Fire Caused by Overheating" (p. 2), and "Groundwork Laid for Tule Lake Baseball Association" (p. 6).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-10/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. III, No. 7 (February 15, 1946) (ddr-densho-284-119)

Selected article titles: "Repatriates to Sail for Japan on Feb. 21" (p. 1), "Establish 5-Day Rule for Completing Plans" (p. 1), and "Hawaii-Bound Persons Must Be Inoculated" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-119/

doc Letter from T.F. Fitch, Chief Special Agent, U.S. Dept. of State to Ryo Morikawa (ddr-densho-446-42)

Miss Tsai's name is on a list of Japanese nationals designated for repatriation to Japan. The letter requests her to indicate if she would like to be repatriated. Handwritten notes on reverse.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-42/

doc Letter from Chimata Sumida to War Relocation Authority (ddr-densho-379-740)

Chimata Sumida asks to not be transferred from the Rohwer incarceration Camp to the Tule Lake Segregation Center under the guidelines indicated in Leeland Barrows letter to Edward J Ennis of the Alien Enemy Control Unity. Due to the loss of his original repatriation application, he was unable to retract that original application. Chimata Sumida details …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-740/

doc Letter from Ray D. Johnston to D.S. Myer (ddr-densho-379-742)

Ray D. Johnston, project director, writes to D.S. Myer to communicate that the whole adult population of Rohwer does not want Chimata Sumida to be transferred to Tule Lake. Sumida cancelled his repatriation request too late, but he is too valuable at Rohwer to allow him to be transferred.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-742/

doc Letter from N.R. Griswold and J.B. Hunter to Ray D. Johnston (ddr-densho-379-741)

A letter in support of Chimata Sumida staying at Rohwer and not being sent to Tule Lake. Mr. Griswold and Mr. Hunter detail the work Chimata Sumida has done with the night school and his positive impact on camp morale. Mr. Sumida also was a strong voice in favor of relocating and helped many people to …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-741/

doc Teletype message from Elmer M. Rowalt to Ray D. Johnston (ddr-densho-379-744)

Elmer Rowalt sends a teletype message replying to Ray D. Johnston's letter. He states that Chimata Sumida will not be transferred to Tule Lake.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-744/

doc Message from E.M. Rowalt to R. D. Johnston (ddr-densho-379-745)

Rowalt replies to Johnston's letter from September 10th and grants his request that Chimata Sumida not be transferred to Tule Lake.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-745/

doc Letter from Rohwer incarcerees to War Relocation Authority (ddr-densho-379-743)

Ten members of the Rohwer community write to the War Relocation Authority to ask that Chimata Sumida not be transferred to Tule Lake. They praise his work at Rohwer as an Events speaker as well as his position on the Resettlement Board.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-743/

doc Postcard from Hiroshi Suzuki to Masako Sumida (ddr-densho-379-212)

Postcard from Hiroshi Suzuki to Masako Sumida from Camp Livingston, LA letting her know that he was awaiting repatriation but he didn't know where or when

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-212/

doc Memo from W.W. Woodbury, American Vice Consul, to Masako Adachi, September 21, 1951 (ddr-csujad-55-2250)

Memorandum of understanding from W.W. Woodbury to Masako Adachi regarding her application for permit for exit from Japan. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2353

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2250/

doc Label used for repatriation baggage (ddr-csujad-55-1490)

Label used for luggage of former internees during repatriation. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 130. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1492

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1490/

doc Letter from Wayne M. Collins, Attorney-at-Law, March 27, 1950 (ddr-csujad-55-2259)

Correspondence and update from attorney Wayne Collins regarding the status of mass equity suits for Japanese Americans who renounced their U.S. citizenship during their incarceration during World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2362

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2259/

img Hirayama family aboard the Liner Matsonian (ddr-csujad-55-1496)

Scrapbook page containing a black and white photograph of the Hirayama family aboard the steam liner, Matsonian, as they are repatriated to Japan. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 135. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1498

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1496/

doc Supplemental affidavit to be submitted with passport applications of Japanese "renunciants" (ddr-csujad-55-2308)

Affidavit form for individuals of Japanese ancestry who renounced their American citizenship during World War II. Form partially completed by Masako Adachi. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2413

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2308/

doc Memo from Richard B. Finn to Masako Adachi, January 10, 1950 (ddr-csujad-55-2262)

Memorandum of understanding from Richard Finn to Masako Adachi regarding voting certificates. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2365

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2262/

doc Repatriation statistics and clipping (ddr-csujad-55-1494)

Scrapbook page containing statistics on repatriation from Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp and a newspaper clipping including a photograph of a Japanese family as they returned to Japan. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 133. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1494/

doc Letter from Akio Adachi to American President Lines, October 5, 1951 (ddr-csujad-55-2247)

Correspondence from Akio Adachi to American President Lines regarding Masako Adachi's travel from Japan to the United States. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2350

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2247/