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 (240)
Resistance and dissidence (85)
Renunciation of citizenship (144)

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144 items

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 59 (August 19, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-46)

"Japanese Canadians Slate Parley in Toronto" (p. 1), "JACL Should Help Nisei Businesses Instead of Lobbying in Capitol, Says Dr. Kunitomo in Visit Here" (p. 1), "Court Stands Pat on Ruling: Release U.S. Renunciants" (p. 2).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-46/

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 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 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 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 The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 82 (October 2, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-144)

"Renunciants Will Receive Rights in "49" (pg. 1), "JACL's Aides, Ennis to Sift Claims Method" (pg. 1)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-144/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 66 (September 12, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-53)

"Citizenship Rights Restored to 4 Nisei Renunciants" (p.1), "ACLU Aide Lauds JACL-ADC Work" (p. 1), "What They Say About Canada's Quiz of Japanese Evacuation Losses" (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-53/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 84 (October 9, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-146)

"Official U.S. Claims Forms Will Be Sent to JACL Units; Contain Only 17 Questions" (pg. 1)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-146/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 38 (May 1, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-106)

"2,300 Nisei Renunciants Regain "Lost' Citizenship; Judge Scores Government Handling of Cases" (p. 1), "Hearings on Evacuation Claims Legislation Due Early Part of This Month, JACL-ADC Reports" (p. 1),

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-106/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 72 (August 28, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-134)

"One of These Pretty Girls Will Be "Miss JACL' of 1948. Nine Girls Seek JACL Queen Title" (pg. 1), "Gov. Maw of Utah Will Join in National JACL Conclave" (pg. 1), "New Names Delay Renunciant Cases. Extension Granted" (pg. 2), "MacArthur Aide Sure Nisei GI Shortened War in Pacific" (pg. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-134/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 41 (May 12, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-109)

"Paint the Town Clean" (p. 1), "JACL-ADC Hails U.S. Decision on Restrictive Covenants" (p. 1), "Ruling on Eisler Case to Affect U.S. Aliens Facing Deportation" (p. 1), "Final Word on "Citizens' Due July 29" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-109/

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/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 75 (October 14, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-62)

"Two Seek Citizenship Restoration Under Judge Cavanaugh's Ruling" (p. 1), "Jackson Street District Reports 156 Per Cent of Quota in 1947 Drive" (p. 1), "B.C. Official Protest Race Restrictions" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-62/

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/