The materials in FOIA 2001-0238-F are a selective, not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. FOIA 2001-0238-F covers documents related to the federal government's redress to Japanese Americans, who were interned during World War II and now compensated more than fifty years later....Read more
The materials in FOIA 2001-0238-F are a selective, not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. FOIA 2001-0238-F covers documents related to the federal government's redress to Japanese Americans, who were interned during World War II and now compensated more than fifty years later. During World War II as our conflict with Japan heightened, domestic war hysteria became more commonplace. There 2001-0238-F 1 were rumors of Japanese invasions on the West Coast, planted spies within the continental United States, and defections of Japanese American citizens, who were believed to owe their first loyalty to their country of origin. This now-perceived paranoid mentality resulted in the evacuation, relocation, and interment of individuals of Japanese ancestry, who were either United States citizens or legal aliens. As with most war hysteria, these fears proved to be groundless. However, as a result of the actions of the United States government, over 75,000 were deprived of freedoms in various ways. Some lost homes, material possessions, and businesses, and many sacrificed loss of liberty due to nothing more than their ethnic heritage. The documents in the Presidential Records are related to the Civil Liberties Act, signed by President Reagan on August 10, 1988 and the subsequent Civil Liberties Act Amendments of 1992. This Act apologizes on behalf of the people of the United States and provides for redress payments to be made to these individuals or their heirs. The Amendments of 1992 broaden the eligible category, increase funding, eliminate educational work performed by other agencies, extend the program for 180 days, removes redress liability of the United States government by unidentified heirs, and authorize judicial review of redress eligibility. The documents in this FOIA include memos, correspondence, statements to Congressional Subcommittees, and copies of Congressional Bills. Read less