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Title: Misa Taketa Interview
Narrator: Misa Taketa
Interviewer: Tom Ikeda
Location: San Jose, California
Date: January 20, 2016
Densho ID: denshovh-tmisa-01-0009

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TI: So after your father was picked up, do you know where they took him?

MT: Well, all we were told was he was being held at the immigration station and I can't remember, well, in Seattle. I can't remember how long he was there. But you know, there was no communication from them, from the people in charge, and when they moved him. I know we had a Filipino working for us who stayed with us, and I remember that it was kind of an awkward situation. He felt so sorry for us that he went to see my father and was able to see him. But before we knew it, he was transferred out.

TI: And so this Filipino, I guess, worker or friend, sort of drove into Seattle and saw your father at the immigration center. So what did he say? Did he say anything about how your father was doing?

MT: Yes. Well, as I recall, when he came back, he said that he was doing okay, but there wasn't really much that could be said because the future was unknown, they didn't know how long he was going to be held there.

TI: Now why did this Filipino man go visit your father?

MT: Well, because he felt so sorry for us because we were helpless. My mother didn't, she had no way of going to see him, and she can't converse with anyone who was at the immigration station.

TI: But did any family member go with this Filipino man?

MT: No, he went by himself. He took it on himself to go see him.

TI: Now how about like your older brother or older sister? Did they drive, could they have gone?

MT: My sister was going to college then, so no, she was driving. But I don't know, it's just that he, well, we didn't know whether we would be allowed to see him anyway. I think that was the thing that probably held us from making an effort. So that's why this worker decided that he would take a chance and go see if he can...

TI: If he was able to see him. And so what was that comforting to the family to know that when this Filipino man came back, that he could tell you that your father seemed to be okay?

MT: Well, whatever, I think that it was some consolation, but still, the future was so uncertain for all of us, too, at that time.

TI: And then you said after a few days your father then was moved someplace else.

MT: Yes, when they... I don't know how we found out, but they said that he wasn't there anymore.

<End Segment 9> - Copyright © 2016 Densho. All Rights Reserved.