Department of Justice camps

More than 5,500 Japanese immigrants (Issei) were arrested by the FBI following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Most were sent first to temporary Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) detention stations and then transferred to Department of Justice (DOJ) internment camps, where they waited to appear before the Alien Enemy Hearing Board. These hearings determined whether the Issei would remain in the internment camps or be "released" to the War Relocation Authority (WRA) concentration camps. After the hearings, most of the Issei were sent to U.S. Army internment camps. The U.S. Army, charged with detaining military prisoners of war (POWs), then returned the Issei internees to DOJ control. The DOJ camps also interned Italian and German nationals and Japanese Latin Americans. Most of the DOJ internment camps held only men who had been separated from their families, but three camps housed single women and families. The camps were run by the INS, part of the Department of Justice.

World War II (231)
Department of Justice camps (409)

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409 items

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Mitsuko Nakamura (ddr-densho-356-381)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Mitsuko Nakamura in which Mistuko tells about her first days in Crystal City and how it differs from Amache. Item tied together with all objects between ddr-densho-356-321 and ddr-densho-356-413.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-381/

doc Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from Akiko Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-2)

Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from his daughter Akiko Miyagi. Akiko tells about a sandstorm on July 3rd, how her younger brother Donald can now say "goodbye" and how the tempature in Arizona is very hot. Per donor, this letter was written by the older sister Takeko (aged 9) for Akiko (aged 3).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-2/

doc Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from Takeko Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-3)

Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from his daughter Takeko Miyagi. Takeko writes about how her brother just turned 7 months old, how she hopes her father enjoyed the postcards from her younger sisters Akiko and Yoko, and tells him about going to school.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-3/

doc Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from Takeko Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-4)

Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from his daughter Takeko Miyagi. Takeko writes about receiving candy from Yuhachi, how her sister, Akiko, was excited about the last telegram they received from him, and a watermelon the family bought.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-4/

doc Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from Yoko Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-1)

Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from his daughter Yoko Miyagi. Yoko writes about how her sister Akiko misses him and wants him to join the family soon. Yoko also writes about her her brother Donald stood up for the first time on July 1st. Per donor, this letter was written by the older sister Takeko (aged 9) …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-1/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. II, No. 26 (June 29, 1945) (ddr-densho-284-74)

Selected article titles: "Units of Two Centers to Close by Oct." (p. 1), "400 Arrive at Santa Fe Camp" (p. 1), "13,652 Relocate in Dec. 31-June 16 Period" (p. 2), and "Boxing Show Features Double Main Event" (p. 6).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-74/

doc Letter from Chimata Sumida to his family (ddr-densho-379-1)

First letter from Chimata Sumida to his wife, Masako Sumida, after arriving at Ft. Missoula Internment Camp from Tuna Canyon.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-1/

doc Letter from Chimata Sumida to Sumida Family (ddr-densho-379-5)

Letter describes life in the Ft. Missoula internment camp. He states that the overall age of men in camp is over 55. The Japanese Camp's average age is 38.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-5/

doc Letter from Chimata Sumida to Grace Sumida and Family (ddr-densho-379-12)

Letter requests the family sends all of his personal belongings since he might not be able to see them during the "duration of this emergency period of time which might last years." He requested tennis equipment be sent because they would soon have a tennis court at Ft. Missoula.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-12/

doc Letter from Chimata Sumida to his family (ddr-densho-379-3)

Second letter from Chimata Sumida describing life in the internment camp. He mentions status of their family friends in the camp. He also mentions the Alien hearings and that no prisoner had his case resolved to date.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-3/

doc Letter from Chimata Sumida to Sumida Family (ddr-densho-379-8)

Letter describes camp life. He mentions that the camp regulations limit sending 3 letters a week, not more than 24 lines a letter. He also requested sporting good items be sent to him because the internees need more exercise.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-8/

doc Chimata Sumida Department of Justice Case File (ddr-densho-379-750)

Chimata Sumida's Department of Justice File includes the warrant for his arrest on January 19, 1942; a FBI investigation report that focused on Sumida's store and the inclusion of a stock of radios with short-wave capabilities; Sumida's Alien Enemy Questionnaire; and a transcript of his hearing for parole from Fort Missoula. Chimata Sumida's hearing for parole …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-750/

doc Letter from Chimata Sumida to Theodore and Marshall Sumida (ddr-densho-379-36)

Letter gives fatherly advice regarding future education, and stresses importance of reading all kinds of books. Chimata Sumida writes that he spoke to members of the "Hearing Board from southern California" about "plan and methods of future education" for assembly camp internees.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-36/

doc Letter from Chimata Sumida to Grace Sumida Nagai (ddr-densho-379-22)

Letter asks for help purchasing watches and used golf clubs for other internees. Chimata Sumida states that since some of the internees have returned to Los Angeles and filled the family in on news at Ft. Missoula, he no longer needs to let them know the daily news.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-22/

img Buildings at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1507)

Aerial color photograph of buildings at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook,"Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 140. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1509

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1507/

img Japanese school at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1520)

Color photograph depicting the Japanese school and bridge in the background and a boy playing near a stream in the foreground at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 144. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1520/

doc First large list of staple drugs, the most money I ever spent in one day which of course means nothing to anyone, except myself (ddr-csujad-55-1378)

Order form including list of staple drugs for use at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. Form includes name of drugs, quantity, unit, price, and amount. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 49. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1378/

doc 1943 Christmas greetings (ddr-csujad-55-1463)

Program for a Christmas pageant at the Protestant Church at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 111. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1465

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1463/

doc Weinachts programm 1944 Internierungslager Crystal City, Texas (ddr-csujad-55-1481)

Program for a German Christmas Eve celebration at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 124. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1483

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1481/

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/

img Housing at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1366)

Scrapbook page containing six black and white photographs depicting barracks and housing at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. One photograph shows five unidentified Caucasian children. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 37. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1366/

img Swimming pool during construction at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1477)

Scrapbook page containing text and six black and white photographs of the swimming pool during construction at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 120. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1479

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1477/

doc Program from Christmas party for medical staff at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1387)

Program for a Christmas party for the medical staff at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 56. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1389

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1387/

img Inside some of the homes (ddr-csujad-55-1370)

Scrapbook page containing five black and white photographs of the interiors of barracks at the Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. Includes a photograph of a group of three individuals (most likely internees). Title from caption. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 41. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1370/

img Post office at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1519)

Color photograph of the post office building at the Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 144. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1521

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1519/