The California Alien Land Act of 1913 is amended to ban the leasing of land to aliens. In Hawaii, Filipino and Japanese plantation workers strike for six months. Calls for the execution of Filipinos intensify. The Filipino Repatriation Act allows Filipinos to return to their homeland at US government expense. Only 2,190 repatriate.
Japan invades the Philippines.
Washington allows the enlistment of Asian immigrants into the armed forces, leading to the formation of the all-volunteer First Filipino Infantry Battalion to help fight the Japanese. Filipino population in the US stands at 98,535. The US having defeated the Japanese grants independence to the Philippines on July 4. President Truman signs law allowing Filipinos to become US citizens in recognition of their support for the war effort. By 1960, the Filipino American population will stand at 176,310.