Japanese Latin Americans Imprisoned By US During WWII Win Bittersweet Victory From Department of Justice | ACLU of Southern California

Japanese Latin Americans Imprisoned By US During WWII Win Bittersweet Victory From Department of Justice | ACLU of Southern California

This morning plaintiffs in Mochizuki vs United States announced settlement of the federal class action lawsuit filed in August 1996 seeking reparations and a formal apology from the United States government for the forcible kidnaping and imprisonment of Japanese Latin Americans during World War II.

Attorneys and representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, the Japanese American Citizens League, and the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations announced the settlement agreement that provides a presidential apology and $5,000 reparation payment to survivors of the ordeal. While acknowledging the significance of the formal apology, former internees are none-the-less disappointed that the settlement does not guarantee redress payment, which is one quarter of the amount given to Japanese Americans who were interned at the same time. In addition, former internees must apply for redress by August 10, 1998.

Named plaintiff Carmen Mochizuki said at a news conference held in Los Angeles this morning, “I am disappointed that we did not receive the same amount of redress that was given to the Japanese Americans, however, I feel that we are victorious for making the United States government finally accept responsibility for its actions against us.”

Mochizuki, is one of over 2,000 Latin Americans Japanese taken from their homes and transported to the US for use in a prisoner exchange with Japan during W.W.II. The prisoners were primarily legal residents and citizens of friendly nations who posed no military threat to the US. Forced to come to the US, they were imprisoned in Department of Justice camps and over 800 were exchanged for US citizens during the war.