Naturalization

Unlike other immigrants to the United States, Japanese and other Asians were not permitted to become naturalized American citizens until 1952. Under existing laws, naturalization was limited to "free white persons and to aliens of African nativity and to persons of African descent." Despite many attempts by Japanese immigrants (Issei) to gain citizenship, they were usually rejected on the grounds that the Issei were neither white nor black. The 1922 Supreme Court case Ozawa v. U.S. cemented the status of the issei as "aliens ineligible to citizenship" once and for all. It wasn't until 1952 with the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act that Issei were finally allowed to become naturalized U.S. citizens.

Immigration and citizenship (469)
Naturalization (189)

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189 items

vh Fred Shiosaki Interview Segment 45 (ddr-densho-1000-190-45)

Helping parents obtain U.S. citizenship

This interview was conducted as part of a project to capture stories of the Japanese American community of Spokane, Washington. Densho worked in collaboration with the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-190-45/

vh Paul Bannai Interview I Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1000-128-7)

Communicating with and learning values from Issei parents

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-128-7/

vh Mike Murase Interview I Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1000-525-6)

Becoming a naturalized citizen and choosing a name

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-525-6/

vh May K. Sasaki Segment 33 (ddr-densho-1000-79-33)

Father's attitude toward U.S. citizenship after the war

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-79-33/

vh Kazumu Naganuma Interview Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-482-12)

Obtaining United States citizenship

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-482-12/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 51 (July 22, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-38)

"Senate Passes Rider to Soldier Brides Act" (p. 1), "House to Debate One Hour on Evacuation Claims Bill" (p. 1), "Tables Deportation, Naturalization Measures" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-38/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 46 (May 29, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-114)

"Issei Urged to Fill Out First Papers" (p. 1), "2 Stowaways on Ship will be Deported" (p. 1), "Third Parley on U.S. Rights Ends in D.C." (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-114/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 5 No. 2 (January 6, 1951) (ddr-densho-229-263)

"Ballots Sent to Members of JACL for Vote" (p. 1), "Naturalization Equality Bill to Get Priority in 82nd Congress, Says Masaoka in His '51 Plans" (p. 1), "Masaoka and Fujii's Attorneys Attack Cal's 37-Year-Old Alien Land Law" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-263/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 19 (March 5, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-186)

"Extension of War Brides' Act or GI Fiancees' Act Opposed by House Judiciary Members" (p. 1), "Here's How House Passed Judd ENI Bill; If Approved by Senate, It Could Mean Death of 1924 Oriental Exclusion Act" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-186/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 4 No. 101 (December 20, 1950) (ddr-densho-229-259)

"Sen. Russell Objects to Walter Bill" (p. 1), "Three Courses on Far East Offered by U.W." (p. 1), "Senate Receives Walter Measure" (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-259/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 4 No. 78 (September 30, 1950) (ddr-densho-229-247)

"Confusion Reigns in the Nation's Capitol After House, By a Whopping Majority, Votes to Override Vetoed Walter Bill" (p. 1), "Congress Amends Trading Act" (p. 1), "Volunteer Solicitors Cover District in Annual Community Chest Campaign; Our Goal This Year Will be $9,100" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-247/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 44 (May 22, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-112)

"JACL-ADC Seeks VFW Endorsement of H.R. 5004, Measure Favoring Naturalization for U.S. Issei" (p. 1), "Three Named to Unit to Adjust Differences on H.R. 3566" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-112/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 56 (July 13, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-223)

"B.C. Fishermen Disapprove of Biased Action" (p. 1), "Talks on ENI to be Heard" (p. 1), "Schmoe, Rev. Andrews to Leave this Week for Hiroshima City" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-223/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 12 (February 9, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-179)

"Senate Unit Backs Bill on Equality" (p. 1), "Pvt. Ninomiya Rites Saturday" (p. 1), "Additional Claims Queries, Replies" (p. 2).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-179/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 31 (April 16, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-198)

"Hopes Rise on Senate Approval of Judd's ENI Legislation" (p. 1), "Local ADC Fund Push of $5,000 Starts April 20" (p. 1),

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-198/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 47 (June 11, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-214)

"House Unanimously Passes Resolution to Give "All' Right to U.S. Citizenship" (p. 1), "JACL ADC Seeks "Same Consideration' as Japanese for Okinawa People" (p. 1), "Solons Act on Two Appropriations Providing for Claims Processing" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-214/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 4 No. 71 (September 6, 1950) (ddr-densho-229-240)

"Korean Situation Hampers ADC Efforts to Win Boost in Claims Plan Budget" (p. 1), "Walter Bill OK by Truman Expected Soon" (p. 1), "ADC Releases Full Text of GI Bride Bill" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-240/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 47 (July 8, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-35)

"Fights Use of Japanese in Job Classification" (p. 1), "ADC Receives New Version of H.R. 3999" (p. 1), "NVC Supports Measure on Citizenship" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-35/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 4 No. 100 (December 16, 1950) (ddr-densho-229-258)

"Lucas Urged to Speed OK of Measure" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-258/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 100 (December 4, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-161)

"OK of Measure for Equality Seen Likely" (p. 1), "Joint Rites Set for Six GI War Dead Saturday, Dec. 11 in Bukkyo-Kai; One of Nisei Heroes is Winner of DSC" (p. 1), "JACL Will Give Claims Forms" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-161/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 24 (March 13, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-94)

"Center Blaze Sufferers Get Loss Claims" (p. 1), "Nisei War Memorial Army Raises $1,623 Here" (p. 1), "Union Membership Sought for Issei" (p. 2), "Fights Seizure of Alien's Land for War Claims" (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-94/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 4 No. 68 (August 23, 1950) (ddr-densho-229-237)

"Walter Bill Runs into Confusion" (p. 1), "Travel Bureau Office in N.Y. Will Open Soon" (p. 1), "Sgt. I. Furukawa Killed in Action" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-237/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 13 (February 12, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-180)

"Judd Bill Passed by House Unit Without Dissenting Vote" (p. 1), "Senate OK's Bill to Pay for Our Loss" (p. 1), "Tokuda's Eye Third N.W. Title as Basketball Tourney Nears; Fierce Fight for Crown Looms" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-180/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 65 (August 13, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-232)

"Next "Open Night' on Wed., Aug. 17; Take Advantage of It, Okada Urges" (p. 1), "Illinois Senator Cites Record of Nisei GI's in Urging Passage of Judd Bill" (p. 2).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-232/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 25 (March 17, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-95)

"Epinal War Heroes' Remains Removed" (p. 1), "Congress Gets Another Bill Aiding Issei" (p. 1), "Story of the 442nd" (p. 2), "Frisco Saints, Berkeley Nisseis to Tangle for "Oriental Title" (p. 3).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-95/