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 (277)
Resistance and dissidence (97)
Renunciation of citizenship (148)

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148 items

doc Letter from Wayne M. Collins, Attorney at Law, to Miss Haruye Imahori, January 13, 1950 (ddr-csujad-55-2246)

Correspondence from Wayne Collins to Haruye Imahori regarding individuals who renounced their United States citizenship and repatriated to Japan but wish to return to the United States. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2349

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2246/

doc Letter from Robert H. Henrion, Sgt 1C, 24th Inf Div, to American Consular Service, November 18, 1949 (ddr-csujad-55-2255)

Correspondence from Robert H. Henries to American Consular Service regarding a recommendation for Masako Adachi. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2358

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2255/

doc Declaration of individuals entering or leaving Japan (ddr-csujad-55-2245)

Customs declaration from regarding Masako Adachi's belongings being transported from Japan to the United States. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2348

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2245/

doc Menu from the S.S. President Cleveland (ddr-csujad-55-2253)

Dinner menu served on board the S.S. President Cleveland sailing from Japan to the United States. Cover includes an illustration of Spanish dancers and musicians. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2356

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2253/

doc Memo from Thomas H. Murfin, American Vice Consul, to Masako Adachi, October 11, 1950 (ddr-csujad-55-2256)

Memorandum of understanding from Thomas Murfin to Masako Adachi regarding Adachi's application for a passport. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2359

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2256/

doc Memo from the Foreign Service of the United States of America to Masako Adachi, September 4, 1951 (ddr-csujad-55-2309)

Memorandum of understanding from the Foreign Service of the United States to Masako Adachi regarding her passport and notification of departure from Japan. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2414

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2309/

doc Letter from Harold A. Barratt, Depot Manager, to Foreign Service of the United States of America, August 24, 1951 (ddr-csujad-55-2252)

Correspondence from Harold Barratt to Foreign Service of the United States regarding the employment of Masako Adachi. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2355

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2252/

doc Issue slip (ddr-csujad-55-2254)

List of items belonging to Masako Adachi being transported from Japan to the United States. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2357

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2254/

doc To the descendants of George and Masako Okabe (ddr-csujad-55-2311)

Transcription of an oral history interview with George and Masako Okabe regarding their experiences during World War II. Interview covers Pearl Harbor, mass removal, daily life at Tule Lake and Grenada incarceration camps, repatriation to Japan, and return to U.S. Includes Yamazaki's report on the interview for her Sophomore World History class. See this object in …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2311/

doc Letter from Wayne M. Collins, Attorney-at-Law, October 5, 1948 (ddr-csujad-55-2261)

Correspondence and update from attorney Wayne Collins regarding the status of mass equity suits to restore citizenship for Japanese Americans who renounced their U.S. citizenship during their incarceration during World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2364

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2261/

doc Letter from Wayne M. Collins, Attorney-at-Law, to Masako Adachi (ddr-csujad-55-2258)

Correspondence from Wayne Collins to Masako Adachi regarding the cancellation of plaintiff's renunciation of U.S nationality and restore their citizenship. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2361

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2258/

doc Report on renunciation suits (ddr-csujad-55-2249)

Report from attorney Wayne Collins to clients regarding developments in renunciation suits. Covers habeas corpus proceedings, mass equity suits, results achieved by mass suits, alien enemy act, effects of Supreme Court decisions, individual hearings, what renunciants must not do, renunciant plaintiffs in Japan, and conclusions. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2249/

doc Letter from Tom Clark, Attorney General, to General Mark W. Clark, December 10, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-235)

Correspondence from Tom Clark to Mark Clark regarding the case of Frank Okusako's family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0237

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-235/

doc Letter from Masako Adachi to Foreign Service of the U.S. of America, August 29, 1951 (ddr-csujad-55-2251)

Correspondence from Masako Adachi to the United States Foreign Service regarding Adachi's travel and repatriation to the United States. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2354

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2251/

doc Memo from Thomas H. Murfin, American Vice Consul, to Masako Adachi, September 22, 1950 (ddr-csujad-55-2257)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2257/

doc Crystal City Chatter Issue 80 (ddr-densho-537-89)

Issue 80 includes discussion of the term "concentration camp," an article about the Manzanar Rubber project, an article about a renunciant with no regrets, and more.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-89/

doc Certificate of the Loss of the Nationality of the United States (ddr-densho-550-40)

Document detailing the relinquishment of Mitsuye Takemiya's American nationality due to voting in the Japanese political election.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-550-40/

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/

av Loyal American (ddr-densho-1024-119)

Keige Kaku was a U.S.-born citizen who served in the U.S. Army. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he was abruptly discharged and sent to Poston. Outraged by the betrayal, Keige refused to answer the infamous “loyalty questionnaire” and was sent to Tule Lake. He ultimately renounced his citizenship and was deported to Japan, where Henry …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-119/

av From a Silk Cocoon (ddr-densho-1024-54)

Documentary film recounting the wartime story of a Kibei couple, Itaru and Shizuko Ina and their two young children as reconstructed by their daughter Satsuki Ina. Ina and co-directors Emery Clay III and Stephen Holsapple tell the story largely through the couple's own words in the form of Shizuko's diary and letters to each other when …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-54/

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. 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/