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 (431)
Naturalization (180)

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180 items

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

Obtaining United States citizenship

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

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 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 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/

doc Agreement for renunciation of Japanese citizenship (ddr-csujad-46-49)

Agreement for renunciation of Japanese citizenship of Yoneichi Matsushige. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: csus_nac_0049

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-46-49/

doc Notice from Japan Consulate General, San Francisco, to Stanislaus Nihonjinkai, June 15, 1925 (ddr-csujad-46-32)

Notice from Japan Consulate General, San Francisco, to Stanislaus Nihonjinkai. Sachiko and Tadashi Ozuchi's application for renunciation of their Japanese citizenship was accepted by the Japanese Government. Document in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: csus_nac_0032

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-46-32/

doc Arajiro Watari (ddr-csujad-8-98)

Oral history interview with Arajiro Watari. Information on the oral history project is found in: csuf_stp_0012A; Glossary in: csuf_stp_0014. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: FCPL Watari, Arajiro

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-8-98/

doc Heiji and Chiyoko Kurakawa (ddr-csujad-8-34)

Oral history interview with Heiji and Chiyoko Kurakawa. Information on the oral history project is found in: csuf_stp_0012A; Glossary in: csuf_stp_0014. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: FCPL Kurakawa, Heiji and Chiyoko

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-8-34/

doc Momoyo Mizuki (ddr-csujad-8-91)

Oral history interview with Momoyo Mizuki. Information on the oral history project is found in: csuf_stp_0012A; Glossary in: csuf_stp_0014. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: FCPL Mizuki, Momoyo

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-8-91/

doc Sada Yamamoto (ddr-csujad-8-100)

Oral history interview with Sada Yamamoto. Information on the oral history project is found in: csuf_stp_0012A; Glossary in: csuf_stp_0014. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: FCPL Yamamoto, Sada

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-8-100/

doc Ben Tsutomu Nakagawa (ddr-csujad-8-49)

Oral history interview with Ben Tsutomu Nakagawa. Information on the oral history project is found in: csuf_stp_0012A; Glossary in: csuf_stp_0014. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: FCPL Nakagawa, Ben Tsutomu

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-8-49/

img Issei naturalization ceremony (ddr-densho-113-39)

This picture, taken at the Broadway Performance Hall, shows the naturalization ceremony of many of Seattle's Issei.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-113-39/

doc Letter denying naturalization to Issei male (ddr-densho-126-2)

Until 1952 U.S. law forbade people of Japanese ancestry from becoming naturalized citizens. This letter was sent to George Mitsutaro Yoshihara, an issei male who applied for U.S. citizenship in 1947.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-126-2/

doc Application for naturalization (ddr-densho-126-3)

U.S. law forbade people of Japanese ancestry from becoming naturalized citizens until 1952. This document is an application for naturalization filed by an issei male in 1947.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-126-3/

doc Certificate of Naturalization (ddr-densho-140-20)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-140-20/

doc Issei's naturalization certificate (ddr-densho-179-247)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-179-247/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 32 (April 20, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-199)

"ADC Fund Push Opens with Kickoff Luncheon" (p. 1), "Evacuation Claims Queries, Replies" (p. 2), "ADC to Ask Amendment to HR 199" (p. 2).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-199/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 46 (July 1, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-34)

"House Will Get Claims Board Measure Soon" (p. 1), "House to Study H.R. 3555" (p. 1)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-34/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 98 (November 27, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-159)

"Sabath Vows Support of Issei Rights" (p. 1), "Bias Noted in Chicago Cemeteries" (p. 1), "Claim Queries and Answers" (p. 1), "Community Basketball Season to Start Next Wed.,Dec. 1" (p. 3).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-159/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 5 (January 15, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-172)

"Hawaii Pushes ENI Measure" (p. 1), "Additional Claims Queries, Replies" (p. 1), "They'll Consider Equality Bill" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-172/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 43 (May 19, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-111)

"Two Congressmen Point Out Wrong of Racial Bias against Minorities; Cite Plight of Japanese Americans" (p. 1), "Senate OK's Citizenship for War Vets" (p. 1), "Endorsements of Evacuation Claims Bills Now Urged by JACL-ADC in D.C.; Hearings Scheduled to Start Friday" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-111/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 4 No. 72 (September 9, 1950) (ddr-densho-229-241)

"Truman Must Approve or Veto Walter Bill by Today; Ten-Day Period Ends" (p. 1), "C-B-I Hero's Wife Awaits Truman Okay" (p. 1), "Masaoka, Brilliant ADC Chief, Named to Distinguished Leadership Award" (p. 2).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-241/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 4 No. 99 (December 13, 1950) (ddr-densho-229-257)

"House Approves Walter Measure" (p. 1), "JACL Calls Attention to Bias on FHA Homes for Veterans" (p. 1), "Fort Lincoln Cemetery Decides to Adopt Segregation Policy" (p. 2).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-257/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 2 (January 5, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-169)

"Truman Shows Interest in Rights Bill" (p. 1), "Pa. Solon Vows to Present Measure for Equality in Naturalization" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-169/