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 (283)
Resistance and dissidence (98)
Renunciation of citizenship (148)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Segregation

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148 items
The Newell Star, Vol. III, No. 2 (January 11, 1946) (ddr-densho-284-112)
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).
The Newell Star, Vol. II, No. 2 (January 11, 1945) (ddr-densho-284-51)
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).
The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 38 (November 16, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-40)
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).
The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 20 (July 13, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-25)
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).
The Newell Star, Vol. III, No. 1 (January 4, 1946) (ddr-densho-284-111)
doc The Newell Star, Vol. III, No. 1 (January 4, 1946) (ddr-densho-284-111)
Selected article titles: "Fire Destroys Tri-State Gym New Year's Eve" (p. 1), "Renunciant Hearings to Begin Next Week" (p. 1), and "In Los Angeles Area: Use of Hostels Instead of FPHA Projects Urged" (p. 2).
The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 42 (December 14, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-44)
doc The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 42 (December 14, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-44)
Selected article titles: "Renunciation: Queries on Procedure Answered by Burling" (pp. 1-2) and "Mess Operations Festival: Division to Select Queen; Nominations Open Today" (p. 3).
The Newell Star, Vol. II, No. 7 (February 15, 1945) (ddr-densho-284-56)
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).
Kenge Kobayashi Segment 14 (ddr-densho-1000-37-14)
vh Kenge Kobayashi Segment 14 (ddr-densho-1000-37-14)
Siblings coerced to renounce U.S. citizenship at Tule Lake concentration camp
Tetsujiro
vh Tetsujiro "Tex" Nakamura Interview Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1000-263-9)
The American Civil Liberties Union's approach to the renunciation cases

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of …

Tetsujiro
vh Tetsujiro "Tex" Nakamura Interview Segment 19 (ddr-densho-1000-263-19)
Description of renunciation case process

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Tetsujiro
vh Tetsujiro "Tex" Nakamura Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1000-263-7)
Helping to organize lawsuits for renunciants to regain their U.S. citizenship

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department …

Tetsujiro
vh Tetsujiro "Tex" Nakamura Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1000-263-8)
Filing suit to restore citizenship

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Tetsujiro
vh Tetsujiro "Tex" Nakamura Interview Segment 17 (ddr-densho-1000-263-17)
Reactions of people upon regaining their U.S. citizenship

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Tetsujiro
vh Tetsujiro "Tex" Nakamura Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1000-263-4)
Description of "Red Hots," pro-Japanese factions in camp

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Tetsujiro
vh Tetsujiro "Tex" Nakamura Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1000-263-5)
Advising people not to renounce their citizenship

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Tetsujiro
vh Tetsujiro "Tex" Nakamura Interview Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1000-263-15)
The impact of the Goodman decision

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Tetsujiro
vh Tetsujiro "Tex" Nakamura Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1000-263-6)
Making the decision to help renunciants regain their U.S. citizenship

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of …

Tokio Yamane Interview Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-432-11)
vh Tokio Yamane Interview Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-432-11)
Being encouraged to sign a renunciation application form (Japanese language)

This interview was conducted in Japanese. The transcript is a translation of the original interview. This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are …

Tokio Yamane Interview Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1000-432-15)
vh Tokio Yamane Interview Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1000-432-15)
Using the threat of renunciation of citizenship as leverage (Japanese language)

This interview was conducted in Japanese. The transcript is a translation of the original interview. This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material …

Tokio Yamane Interview Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-432-12)
vh Tokio Yamane Interview Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-432-12)
Sent to the Santa Fe internment camp (Japanese language)

This interview was conducted in Japanese. The transcript is a translation of the original interview. This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those …

Tokio Yamane Interview Segment 34 (ddr-densho-1000-432-34)
vh Tokio Yamane Interview Segment 34 (ddr-densho-1000-432-34)
Being contacted by Wayne Collins regarding restoration of U.S. citizenship (Japanese language)

This interview was conducted in Japanese. The transcript is a translation of the original interview. This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this …

Ronald Ikejiri Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1000-461-3)
vh Ronald Ikejiri Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1000-461-3)
Parents' wartime experiences, renunciation of U.S. citizenship
Arthur Ogami Interview Segment 23 (ddr-densho-1000-154-23)
vh Arthur Ogami Interview Segment 23 (ddr-densho-1000-154-23)
Procedures involved in renouncing U.S. citizenship and preparing for expatriation to Japan: changing family name
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