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 (231)
Resistance and dissidence (84)
Renunciation of citizenship (144)

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144 items

doc Copy of census register [English translation] (ddr-csujad-12-22)

English translation of the census information for Tsugitada Kanamori. The original document in Japanese is found in item: csudh_tsu_0023. It includes information about his birth date of September 7, 1922, his birth place, the city of Port Hueneme in Oxnard just north of Los Angeles, as well as information about the marriage to his wife, Kazuko …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-22/

doc Attached answers to affidavit questions (ddr-csujad-12-27)

This item contains the more in-depth answers to questions on the affidavit that Tsugitada Kanamori submitted. In these extended answers to questions about Kanamori's repatriation to Japan and his refusal to pledge allegiance to the United States, he discusses his fear of violence and desire to keep his family together which resulted in his answering of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-27/

doc Letter from Wayne M. Collins, Attorney at Law, to Tsugitada Kanamori, May 19, 1958 (ddr-csujad-12-11)

This letter by Wayne M. Collins, Attorney at Law, discusses the "Final Order, Judgement and Decree," which was brought to litigation on behalf of Tsugitada Kanamori, who had renounced his United States citizenship. According to the judgement, which can be seen in item: csudh_tsu_0010, this renunciation is null and void and thus Kanamori will remain a …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-11/

doc Medical certificate [for Tsugitada Kanamori, English translation] (ddr-csujad-12-14)

English translation of medical certificate for Tsugitada Kanamori. The original certificate in Japanese is found in item: csudh_tsu_0015. This medical certificate, issued by Toshiko Takahashi, M.D., Konan Hospital, confirms that Tsugitada Kanamori has bronchial asthma and has received treatment. The translator is Henry Tanisaki, Manager, Japan Chemical Service. See this object in the California State Universities …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-14/

doc Letter from William E. Gotcher, February 3, 1948 (ddr-csujad-12-3)

In this letter, a former employer of Tsugitada Kanamori writes a letter of reference, describing him as a hard working, trustworthy, and honest employee. Mr. William E. Gotcher confirms that Kanamori was an employee of the Yokohama Area Engineer Equipment Pool for two years and had held several positions. See this object in the California State …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-3/

doc Memorandum from George H. Zentz, American Consul, American Consulate General Yokohama, to Tsugitada Kanamori, July 28, 1953 (ddr-csujad-12-6)

This memorandum issued by George H. Zentz, American Consul, American Consulate General Yokohama, confirms that Tsugitada Kanamori is a citizen of the United States based on his birth records. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tsu_01_02_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-6/

doc Letter from Daniel F. Goggin, May 1, 1948 (ddr-csujad-12-2)

This letter confirms that Tsugitada Kanamori worked for Daniel Goggin in an Ordnance Shop as the superintendent at the Yokohama Area Engineer Equipment Pool. Mr. Goggin explains that Kanamori is "invaluable" and he would absolutely recommend Mr. Kanamori for any position. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tsu_01_01_002

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-2/

doc Supplemental affidavit to be submitted with applications of Japanese "renunciants" (ddr-csujad-24-86)

An affidavit prepared by Jitsushige Tsuha (Reverend Kenjitsu Jitsushige Tsuha) for the Immigration and Naturalization Service requesting that his citizenship and accompanying civil rights be restored. In these documents Tsuha argues that he was forced at gunpoint to sign forms renouncing his citizenship at the Tule Lake incarceration camp and did not realize what he was …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-86/

doc Letter from Kathleen M. O'Connor, archivist, National Archives-Pacific Sierra Region to Michi Weglyn, June 23, 1997 (ddr-csujad-24-77)

A letter from Kathleen M. O'Connor at the National Archives in response to Weglyn's request for records about Japanese American citizenship renunciation cases. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: chi_06_003

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-77/

doc Letter from Eji Suyama to Pacific Citizen (ddr-csujad-24-92)

A letter from Eji Suyama to Pacific Citizen regarding the exclusion of Nisei from universities in the United States during World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: chi_07_009

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-92/

doc Letter from Michi Weglyn to Frank Chin, September 26, 1991 (ddr-csujad-24-104)

A letter from Michi Weglyn to Frank Chin about a woman named Kiyoko Mozaki who was teaching a class on Japanese Americans at a university in Koyoto, Japan. Weglyn states that Mozaki's father was incarcerated in the Tule Lake incarceration camp and later received a redress check. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-104/

doc JACL report on Japanese Americans renouncing citizenship (ddr-densho-122-416)

Prepared by Joe Grant Masaoko, with note "Not for Release or Publication"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-416/

doc Crossroads, Vol. 1, No. 43 (March 25, 1949) (ddr-densho-358-17)

Selected article titles: "Million-Dollar Flower Show Opens" (p.1), "Tule Renunciants Restored U.S. Citizenship" (p.1), "'Nisei Week' Will Make 1949 Comeback with all the Trimmings in Early August" (p.1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-358-17/

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 The Newell Star, Vol. III, No. 8 (February 21, 1946) (ddr-densho-284-121)

Selected article titles: "Relocation: Tuleans; Relocation Co-Operation Lauded" (pp. 1-2), "Mails Must be Sent Direct to Washington" (p. 1), and "Seabrook Farms Offer Financial Assistance" (p. 2).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-121/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 28 (September 7, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-34)

Selected article titles: "LA Police Drops Judo Training from Curriculum" (pp. 1-2), "Response Favorable on Job Termination Policy" (p. 1), and "Renunciation Bill Under Review--Myer" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-34/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. II, No. 40 (October 5, 1945) (ddr-densho-284-88)

Selected article titles: "Justice Dept. Begins Renuncee Registration" (p. 1), "Justice Dept. Scheduled to Replace Army Wednesday" (p. 1), "Japanese POW's Go to Cotton Fields" (p. 2), and "To Potential Resettlers: 2 Prominent Tuleans Give Reports on Trips Outside" (p. 5).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-88/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. II, No. 47 (November 23, 1945) (ddr-densho-284-101)

Selected article titles: "Sail from L.A. Dec. 2: 325 to Leave Center for Hawaii Next Friday" (p. 1), "First Group of 'Repats' Leaves Tule Lake Today" (p. 1), "Renunciant Case Draws Comment from S.F. Paper" (p. 2), and "Charles Miller: Gives Report on Northern Calif. Housing Facilities" (p. 3).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-101/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. III, No. 3 (January 18, 1946) (ddr-densho-284-113)

Selected article titles: "Holland: Relocation Plans for All Free People Made" (p. 1), "Clarify Rules Regarding Alien Registration" (p. 1), "Southern Pacific Railroad Looking for More Workers" (p. 2), and "Student Relocation Council Services Offered Students" (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-113/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. III, No. 2 (January 11, 1946) (ddr-densho-284-112)

Selected article titles: "Hearing Registration Still Open-Rothstein" (p. 1), "More Resettlers Sought by Arkansas Plantation" (p. 2), "Many Recent Resettlers Now in Northern Calif." (p. 3), and "Alien ID Card Rules Revoked" (p. 3).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-112/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. II, No. 7 (February 15, 1945) (ddr-densho-284-56)

Selected article titles: "Dept. of Justice: Status of Renunciants Defined by Rothestein" (pp. 1-2), "WRA Closes Quarters of Hoshi, Hokoku Seinen Dan" (pp. 1-2), "Excludees Now Able to Relocated East and South" (p. 2), and "Contact with Japan Through Red Cross" (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-56/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. II, No. 2 (January 11, 1945) (ddr-densho-284-51)

Selected article titles: "Burling Here to Resume Renunciation Hearings" (pp. 1-2), "70 'Resegregated' to Santa Fe Camp" (p. 2), and "Housing Plan Required for West Coast Return" (pp. 2, 5).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-51/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 38 (November 16, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-40)

Selected article titles: "Renunciation Bill: Initial Procedures Clarified by Legal Aid" (p. 1), "2 Fires Result from Overheated Coal Stoves" (p. 2), and "Evacuee Property Office: Real Estate Problems Aired for Evacuees" (pp. 2, 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-40/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 20 (July 13, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-25)

Selected article titles: "Denationalization Bill Signed: Legislation Enables Citizens to Renounce US Citizenship" (pp. 1-2), "Colony Irrigation System to Augment Water Supply" (p. 1), and "Leave Clearance: Appeals Board to Consider Cases Filed Before July 14" (p. 2).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-25/