Renunciation of citizenship

During World War II, 5,589 American citizens of Japanese descent renounced their U.S. citizenship. The renunciations took place between December 1944 and July 1945, mostly in Tule Lake concentration camp, California. The vast majority of renunciations had little to do with "disloyalty" to the U.S., but instead were the result of a series of complex conditions and events that were beyond the control of those involved. After a legal battle, most renunciants had their U.S. citizenship restored in the 1960s.

World War II (231)
Resistance and dissidence (84)
Renunciation of citizenship (144)

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144 items
Kenji Maruko Interview Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1010-8-24)
vh Kenji Maruko Interview Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1010-8-24)
Separated from family and sent to Santa Fe

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Hiroshi Kashiwagi Interview Segment 14 (ddr-densho-1002-4-14)
vh Hiroshi Kashiwagi Interview Segment 14 (ddr-densho-1002-4-14)
Decision to renounce U.S. citizenship

This interview was conducted by sisters Emiko and Chizuko Omori for their 1999 documentary, Rabbit in the Moon, about the Japanese American resisters of conscience in the World War II incarceration camps. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing on issues …

Hiroshi Kashiwagi Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1002-4-5)
vh Hiroshi Kashiwagi Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1002-4-5)
Discussion of decision in camp to renounce U.S. citizenship, family's near-deportation to Japan

This interview was conducted by sisters Emiko and Chizuko Omori for their 1999 documentary, Rabbit in the Moon, about the Japanese American resisters of conscience in the World War II incarceration camps. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically …

Hiroshi Kashiwagi Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1002-4-6)
vh Hiroshi Kashiwagi Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1002-4-6)
The stigma of being a "no-no" and a renunciant postwar

This interview was conducted by sisters Emiko and Chizuko Omori for their 1999 documentary, Rabbit in the Moon, about the Japanese American resisters of conscience in the World War II incarceration camps. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, …

Minoru Kiyota Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1000-36-9)
vh Minoru Kiyota Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1000-36-9)
Description of FBI interrogation in camp, and impact on response to the so-called "loyalty questionnaire"

This interview was conducted at the 1998 Tule Lake Pilgrimage held at Klamath Falls, Oregon and at the site of Tule Lake incarceration camp in California. Given the limited time available during this event, the length and breadth of this interview …

Minoru Kiyota Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-36-11)
vh Minoru Kiyota Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-36-11)
Two key supporters in renouncing U.S. citizenship: Marvin Opler and Wayne Collins's work on behalf of renunciants

This interview was conducted at the 1998 Tule Lake Pilgrimage held at Klamath Falls, Oregon and at the site of Tule Lake incarceration camp in California. Given the limited time available during this event, the length and breadth of …

Minoru Kiyota Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-36-13)
vh Minoru Kiyota Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-36-13)
Restoration of U.S. citizenship, a ten-year legal effort by Wayne Collins

This interview was conducted at the 1998 Tule Lake Pilgrimage held at Klamath Falls, Oregon and at the site of Tule Lake incarceration camp in California. Given the limited time available during this event, the length and breadth of this interview are shorter than other …

Minoru Kiyota Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-36-12)
vh Minoru Kiyota Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-36-12)
Receiving support from a pacifist Christian group in decision to renounce U.S. citizenship

This interview was conducted at the 1998 Tule Lake Pilgrimage held at Klamath Falls, Oregon and at the site of Tule Lake incarceration camp in California. Given the limited time available during this event, the length and breadth of this interview are shorter …

Minoru Kiyota Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-36-10)
vh Minoru Kiyota Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-36-10)
Decision and impact of renouncing U.S. citizenship

This interview was conducted at the 1998 Tule Lake Pilgrimage held at Klamath Falls, Oregon and at the site of Tule Lake incarceration camp in California. Given the limited time available during this event, the length and breadth of this interview are shorter than other Densho interviews.

Bill Nishimura Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1000-119-8)
vh Bill Nishimura Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1000-119-8)
Decision to renounce U.S. citizenship: "We really didn't have any choice"; forming the Hoshidan, moving to Santa Fe internment camp, New Mexico; a chaotic incident with the border-patrol

This interview took place at the 2000 Tule Lake Pilgrimage in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Satsuki Ina Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1000-474-4)
vh Satsuki Ina Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1000-474-4)
Wartime trauma parents experienced ripples down to children
Sarah Sato Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1000-81-24)
vh Sarah Sato Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1000-81-24)
Deciding to renounce U.S. citizenship, separating the family
Hiroshi Kashiwagi Interview Segment 23 (ddr-densho-1000-165-23)
vh Hiroshi Kashiwagi Interview Segment 23 (ddr-densho-1000-165-23)
Working to reverse decision to renounce citizenship: working with Wayne Collins, helping form the Tule Lake Defense Committee
Hiroshi Kashiwagi Interview Segment 22 (ddr-densho-1000-165-22)
vh Hiroshi Kashiwagi Interview Segment 22 (ddr-densho-1000-165-22)
Renouncing U.S. citizenship: "I had a funny feeling that I had done something, something wrong"
Hiroshi Kashiwagi Interview Segment 35 (ddr-densho-1000-165-35)
vh Hiroshi Kashiwagi Interview Segment 35 (ddr-densho-1000-165-35)
Reflections: speaking for the first time about resister and renunciation experiences
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