Contact: Bill Yoshino, JACL Interim Executive Director, byoshino@jacl.org, Jeffrey Moy, JACL
Vice President for Public Affairs, jmoy@jacl.org

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) vehemently objects to the recent executive orders related to immigration. Whether they concern building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, threatening to increase deportations by the granting of additional powers to immigration enforcement officials and the targeting of sanctuary cities, or banning refugees and immigrants from entering the country, we stand with our organizational partners in rejecting these xenophobic, fear-mongering tactics.

Last week, the White House issued executive orders titled “Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements,” “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States,” and “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” This is not the first time we have seen security used as a rationale to discriminate against specific communities. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 that prescribed military areas from which individuals could be removed. During World War II, the experience of Japanese Americans went beyond being forced from their homes and being detained without due process. Japanese Americans were vilified and targeted because of their race. Our country abandoned them with some being subjected to deportation. Their abandonment by our government left many with a psychological trauma that for some would last a lifetime.

During World War II, racism and wartime fears caused political leaders to enforce discriminatory policies they knew to be unwarranted and unnecessary. A narrative of historical facts has thoroughly repudiated the governmental actions that flowed from Executive Order 9066. Although the threat of terrorism is real, we must learn from our history and not allow our fears to overwhelm our values.

The United States has always served as a sanctuary for those fleeing oppression and provided opportunities to anyone seeking a better life. JACL continues to support the resettlement of refugees and the rights of immigrants. We are deeply troubled by policies born out of race-based slogans; policies that are mean-spirited and excessive in the treatment of immigrant families; policies that fail to honor the values of our diverse nation. As with Executive Order 9066, these recent measures do nothing to enhance America’s standing as an enduring symbol of democracy.

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Saturday, November 05, 2016 at 6:00 pm held at Highland Park UMC

Spokane, WA - On March 6th, over 100 Spokane JACL chapter and community members came together at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino for their annual Nikkei Appreciation Luncheon to honor the Issei and Nisei whose personal sacrifices and work ethic created the foundation for the quality of life enjoyed today and the opportunities to pursue career choices and post-secondary education that were not options for many family members during the first 50 years of the 20th century.   
 
Special guests included Spokane Valley Mayor Rod Higgins and Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute Executive Vice President Kiyoshi Fukumoto. Steve Yoshihara gave the recognition speech for Isseis and Niseis, Jefferson Workman from the Spokane Buddhist Temple gave the invocation, and Pastor John Wang from Highland Park United Methodist Church gave the benediction.
 
Lisa Kirihara Dickinson from the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs delivered the keynote. The cultural entertainment was provided by Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute students.
 

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The JACL Digest will publish an article from a chapter or regional district to highlight JACL's good work around the nation. If your chapter or district would like to participate, please contact your regional director or email the DC office directly at mnakamura@jacl.org or etrinidad@jacl.org. ​