The Northwest times. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1947-1955, 1948-02-04
WIRIN APPLIES
FOR PASSPORT
TO SEE JAPAN


who only last week won an impor.
tant victory in the Oyama alien
land case. mas applied for pass
port to visit Japan to clarity the
case of Nisei strandees. the Wash
ington office of the JACL Anti
Discrimination Committee learned
today.
Wirin. it was emphasized, will
go as private counsel for a num-
Der of parents and relatives of
the Nisei in Japan, some of whom
have lost their u. S. citizenship.
His purpose is to assist in clear
ing up the status of these "state-
less" persons who were caught in
that country at the outbreak of
fgar and who are unable to re-
turn.
II Is understood that a great
many strandees, anxious for the res
toration of their citizenship and the
right TO return to the United States.
are seeking legal aid. Securing their
admission into this country may
call for test or other court cases
either in Japan or in the United
States and it is Mr. Wirins pro-
iect to coordinate the work in ia
pan of groups concerned with this
problem. A preliminary survey of
the situation has already been in
itiated by Scotty Tsuchiya. former
Southern California regional repre-
sentative of the JACL, who is now
in Tokyo on business. Tt is re-
ported that some court cases have
already been filed in japan.
Under an express provision of
the United States Nationality Code
It is pointed out, person whether
resident of the United States or
abroad may file a suit in a federal
court in the United St9tes to es-
tablish his United. States NATIONAL
ity If his claim of U s. nationality
Is not recognized by any depart
ment of the u. s. Government, as
for example a United States Con-
sui or the State Department. In
the event resident abroad files
such a suit. he may be allowed to
come to the United States pend
inc the suit, subject to deportation
if he loses his suit.
Some of the categories of
strandees who have lost their ci-
tizenship and who are appeal
ing for redress include: cases of
coercion, often By Japanese Gov
eminent officials, sometimes by
parents of the strandees; cases
Of Japanese naturalization which
were the result of action by the
father in behalf of the strandee,
without the permission of the
strandee, or even without his
knowledge or consent; cases of
accepting benefits ordinarily
available only to Japanese citi-
zens. as for example. receiving
certain rations or accepting GER
tain emrIoyment-both the fore
going often took place without
knowledge on the part of the Nj
sci that accepting such benefits
meant forfeiture Of u. s. citizen
shin: cases Of voting in Japanese
eIectiOn-agsin, without know
LEDGE that il meant loss of u. s.
citizenship under the u. s. Ma
tiOnalitv Act; and cases of Tule
Lake renunciants who returned to
Janan.
With respect to Tule Lake re
7unciants who returned to Japar
It is recalled that there is a pre
cedent IN the decision Of a fedora
fudge at Los ANGELES IN a Tul
Lake test case sponeored bv III
American Civil Liberties Unior
JUDGE Charles G. Cavanah decide
that one who has renowned citi
zenship through misunderstanding
or coercion NAV have his citizen
shin restored; that Abandonment {
r1njted States citizenship is vail
e the person who abandons it doe
- freely and voluntarily
Anv strandee woo can demon
'trate that he forfeited his either
shin As the result of Circumstance
',evond his control end whic
amountad to action that was NJ
he result of his own free and vo
untarv act. Mr. Wirin maintain
nav successfully assert his clan
Cor restoration If citizenship in a
7rp~opriate U. S. court.
wirin's application for a perm
from the State Department
hacked beth bv the American Civ
liberties Union through Roc
Baldwin. who lest snring invest
oated the strandee situation in j
pan. End who Is cooperating in b
protect, and bv the JACL
| The Washington office Of tn
SACL ADC. however, points on