By January 1945, interment camps were essentially closed. In addition to the West Coast ban on persons of Japanese heritage being lifted, the U.S. Supreme Court made a ruling in Endo v. the United States, stating EO 9066 and the War Relocation Authority could “afford no basis for keeping loyal evacuees of Japanese ancestry in custody on the ground of community hostility.” Mitsuye Endo, a Nisei woman, was the sole plantiff in this landmark case for incarcerated Japanese Americans. (WRA photo at right) Although she was previously granted the right to leave Tule Lake Relocation Center in California, Mitsuye refused.
The Supreme Court further stated:
“Loyalty is a matter of the heart and mind, not of race, creed, or color. He who is loyal is by definition not a spy or a saboteur. When the power
Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Douglas, Ex Parte Mitsuye Endo, Dec. 18, 1944
to detain is derived from the power to protect the war effort against espionage and sabotage, detention which has no relationship to that objective is unauthorized.”
Newly freed Japanese Americans left Heart Mountain in phases. They were given $25 and a train ticket to destinations like San Jose, California or Seattle, Washington. The reality of returning to possible racism in Washington, California and Oregon and having to start over completely must have been overwhelming. However, the last internee left Heart Mountain on November 10, 1945.
“We are Americans, again?” 
Travel–Leaving the Camp In the Train for Los Angeles 
Crowd Gathered at a Train
Departing for California (1945)
Departing on the Train (July 6, 1945)
Assimilating back into society after camp was a struggle for former internees. For example, Estelle and Arthur Ishigo lived a penniless existence in a southern California trailer park, working odd jobs. Former internees’ stored possessions were often burglarized. Those who had friends or family care for their items fared better. Homes were set on fire. Businesses had to be re-built or established. Discussion about incarceration was spoken only within immediate family circles.
Photo: University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center, Estelle Ishigo Photographs, Accession Number 10368, Box 1, Folder 1.
Starting in the 1970’s, former incarcerees started attending camp reunions. These events stirred the need for discussing and understanding what had occurred in these internment camps. In the 1980’s, Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson and California Congressman Norman Mineta were serving in Washington D.C. together. Years earlier, their friendship began through Cub Scouts meetings at Heart Mountain internment camp. The two Congressmen sponsored the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 together. President Ronald Reagan signed this Act into law, enacting recommendations from 1980 and 1983. An official U.S. government apology was given to former incarcerees and their families, as well as $20,000 in reparations for survivors. A public awareness educational fund was also created. (15) Photo: Al Simpson with look-alike student at a Wax Museum History presentation at Sunset Elementary in Cody, WY. (2018).
IMNPB
Recommended To You
