The Prewar Japanese Immigrant, Research Paper Example

Pre-world war II, from 1885 – 1924, many Japanese immigrants moved to Hawaii in the United States and they formed a vibrant community, run families, build business, and established their social groups. However, these developments were to be met with anti-Japanese movements and prejudice. The presence of discriminatory laws led to prevention of Issei from becoming American naturalized citizens. These showed the extent of impediments that limited the then successes of these immigrants. These laws further barred them from owning land; whites taught entering into matrimonial ties with whites and sending their kids to school that. In addition, the Congress in 1924 passed an immigration act that prevented more Japanese immigrants from entering the U.S.

A second generation of Issei called Nisei was born in America. They had their ancestry from Issei, attended American schools, and spoke very fluent English like other American citizens in addition to their excellence in school. However, Nisei were not left behind the discrimination bandwagon. They were discriminated against, in employment, public accommodations, housing, civic and social activities.

A number of major events took place during this pre-world war II and these occurred well before the Chinese migrated to the US. The first Japanese immigrants were initially allowed into US as main source of labor, since they provided cheap labor. They were targeted due to their growing influence and their increased ownership of lands and businesses that eventually even led them to be termed as “yellow peril”. In reality, America by a fact did not tolerate people of color in 1930’s. These discrimination prevented people from exercising freedom and from living in their places of choice.

In December 1941, Japanese attacked US bombing Pearl Harbor in Hawaii attacking the present US military bases. This shocked the then American government and even the Japanese immigrants who lived there. Many people including Japanese immigrants were killed during that attack. Initially there were suspicions of sabotage from the Issei. This was evident from the fact that hours just after the attack, the FBI arrested Japanese Buddhists, businesspersons, Japanese immigrants (Issei), community leaders, and teachers who taught Japanese languages.

After the operations of the FBI, over 5000 Japanese immigrants were held on suspicion of being source of threat to the peace of the American people. Those held were sent to detention centers and internment camps in the department of justice to be subjected to hearings. All the cases underwent individual legal review; however, most of these cases passed to conclusion and the result were the jailing of many of the Issei wrongly on suspicion of being source of potential threats. The Issei were not allowed to have a legal representation while under internment. Studies show that more than 1700 Issei were allowed to War Relocation Authority incarceration camps when the hearings were over, although majorities of the convicts were taken to US army internment camps.

The other major occurrence in the aftermath of attack of Port Pearl, Hawaii was the signing of executive order 9066, which eventually led to mass arrests of Japanese immigrants based on their race, without evidence. This action led to an arrest of over 100,000 Issei and other American citizens, who formed two-thirds. However, over 150,000 residents of Japanese origin who lived in Hawaii were not incarcerated, but treated as loyal to the US. General Emmons rejected several pleas that were anti-Japanese.