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
Letter from Tom Clark, Attorney General, to General Mark W. Clark, December 10, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-235)
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
Letter from Masako Adachi to Foreign Service of the U.S. of America, August 29, 1951 (ddr-csujad-55-2251)
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
Memo from Thomas H. Murfin, American Vice Consul, to Masako Adachi, September 22, 1950 (ddr-csujad-55-2257)
doc Memo from Thomas H. Murfin, American Vice Consul, to Masako Adachi, September 22, 1950 (ddr-csujad-55-2257)
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_2360
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
Arthur Ogami Interview Segment 25 (ddr-densho-1000-154-25)
vh Arthur Ogami Interview Segment 25 (ddr-densho-1000-154-25)
Transferred with brother to Bismarck, North Dakota, a Department of Justice camp
Arthur Ogami Interview Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1000-154-24)
vh Arthur Ogami Interview Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1000-154-24)
Given very little notice of impending transfer to Bismarck, North Dakota, a Department of Justice camp
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