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 (218)
Resistance and dissidence (80)
Renunciation of citizenship (144)

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144 items

doc Japanese-Americans Ordered Set Free (September 8, 1947) (ddr-densho-56-1180)

The Seattle Daily Times, September 8, 1947, p. 2

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1180/

doc Japanese Lose Citizenship Case (July 13, 1946) (ddr-densho-56-1160)

The Seattle Daily Times, July 13, 1946, p. 2

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1160/

doc They're Disloyal And Should Be Treated As Such (February 16, 1946) (ddr-densho-56-1155)

The Seattle Daily Times, February 16, 1946, p. 6

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1155/

doc Nisei May Sue For Citizenship (October 26, 1945) (ddr-densho-56-1149)

The Seattle Daily Times, October 26, 1945, p. 5

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1149/

doc 8,000 Japs Sent Back to Nippon (February 7, 1946) (ddr-densho-56-1154)

The Seattle Daily Times, February 7, 1946, p. 5

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1154/

doc Japs Ask to be Citizens Again (November 13, 1945) (ddr-densho-56-1151)

The Seattle Daily Times, November 13, 1945, p. 2

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1151/

doc 2,300 Nisei Restored Renounced Citizenship. U.S. Court Denounces Internment. (April 29, 1948) (ddr-densho-56-1187)

The Seattle Daily Times, April 29, 1948, p. 1

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1187/

doc Bill to Renounce U.S. Citizenship Passed by House (February 23, 1944) (ddr-densho-56-1029)

The Seattle Daily Times, February 23, 1944, p. 10

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1029/

doc Two memos regarding Manzanar concentration camp, California (ddr-densho-67-14)

The subject of these memos is the identification of suspected pro-Japanese individuals.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-14/

doc Scrapbook page with one article (ddr-densho-35-400)

Newspaper clipping from the Oregonian titled "They've Changed Their Minds."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-400/

doc Scrapbook page (ddr-densho-35-402)

Two photograhs and one article from the Oregonian. Photographs are titled "Japanese Youngsters Among Repatriates Sailing." Newspaper article is titled "Nisei Fight To Remain In America."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-402/

doc Letter from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding renunciation status (ddr-densho-164-139)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-164-139/

doc Letter from Wayne Collins regarding renunciation status (ddr-densho-164-137)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-164-137/

doc Text of judgment cancelling renunciation (ddr-densho-188-56)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-188-56/

doc Handwritten letter requesting cancellation of renunciation application (ddr-densho-188-45)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-188-45/

doc Draft of letter requesting cancellation of renunciation application (ddr-densho-188-47)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-188-47/

doc Letter from the Tule Lake Defense Committee (ddr-densho-188-48)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-188-48/

doc Notice of Approval of Renunciation of United States Nationality (ddr-densho-188-31)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-188-31/

doc Letter from the Tule Lake Committee regarding renuciation lawsuit (ddr-densho-188-53)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-188-53/

doc Letter regarding renunciation status (ddr-densho-188-38)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-188-38/

doc Letter regarding restoration of U.S. citizenship (ddr-densho-188-60)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-188-60/

doc Letter regarding cancellation of renunciation of citizenship (ddr-densho-254-5)

Letter and legal documents from Wayne M. Collins informing Senichiro Takeda that his renunciation of citizenship was cancelled and that he has been declared a native born citizen of the United States.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-254-5/

doc Letter regarding release from Seabrook Farms (ddr-densho-254-4)

Letter from the Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Services informing Senichiro Takeda that he is released to the custody of Wayne M. Collins.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-254-4/

doc Alien registration card (ddr-densho-254-3)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-254-3/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 3 (January 10, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-2)

"U.S. Court Hears Status of 5,500 Nisei" (p. 1), "Seeks Passage of Claims Bill" (p. 1), "M.I.S. Grads Total 2,675 in Monterey" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-2/