Question

Many resident Japanese-American aliens from California were shipped to Santa Fe after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Explain the conflicting feelings of loyalty experienced by the Japanese-American internees.

Answer 1

Confusion: These people did nothing against the law. They had thriving businesses, robust communities, doing there best to fit into American culture. Besides internment they lost their properties, businesses, homes in most cases.

Racism: why were no German or Italian aliens awaiting citizenship interned

Patriotism: in spite of their treatment, many families had children born in the USA. These were Nisei, or first generation Americans.
Many of their sons joined US military to prove their loyalty. One RCT, regimental combat team was the armies 442. Became one of the most highly decorated units of WWII. “Go for Broke” was their rallying cry.

The Roosevelt administration overreaction, these people may assist their former homeland, has been an embarrassment ever since. Years later reparations were made to some of the victims.

My father was on USS Maryland, December 7, 1941. Lost shipmates, family and friends throughout the conflict but never held any ill will toward Americans of Japanese descent.

We are now close allies.