The Northwest times. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1947-1955, 1949-01-08

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be given first priority, according
to the JACL ADCJ
1. Equality in Naturalization and
Immigration.
The privilege of applying for CT
tizenship through naturalization on
an Individual examination basis
should be extended to all immi-
grants having legal right to per-
manent residence in the United
States; and the general national
policy which already has opened
the doors to America to immigra-
ton on quota basis of Chinese
East indiana and Filipinos should
be extended to all Asian and Paci-
fic peoples.
In 1910 tthe last Official COUNT
there were 48,158 aliens in the u
nited States, and 39,784 in Hawaii
who were ineligible for cit zenship
solely because of race and place OF
birth.
A few of these are Koreans, Poly
nesians. and other Asian peoples,
but more than SO percent are jap
anese.
We feel these persons long ago
earned the right to apply for citi-
zenship. In fact, as former Ambas-
sador to Japan Joseph G. Grew
stated to a House Subcommittee
considering this matter on April
10, 1913: q. 1t seems Ito me-
there can be little room for dis
agreement that any immigrant who
is allowed to remain permanently
in the United States should not
only be permitted to seek citizen
ship, but should be encouraged TO
do so 1t is wholly n keeping
with American tradition that in so
deeply important a matter as citi-
zenship. adlniss on or denial be
made only o1s grounds of individual
behavior and qualification
The vast majority of aliens who
are now ineligible to citizensh be
cause of race have lived in the u
nited States or Hawaii for thirty
OF more years as respected, law
abiding members of their commu-
mites. Most of these persons hid
sons or daughters who served in
the armed forces In World War II
with conspicuous gallantry. Indeed
the all japanese American 442nd
Regimental Combat Team, the most
highly decorated combat unit in
the Second World War. earned for
itself the title Purple Heart Regi
ment" because of the tremendous
casualties suffered in some of tho
most bitter battles of the war in
italy and in France. Others served
in the Pacific. The chief of Gen.
eral MacArthur's intelligence for
ces estimated that the use of Japa-
nese American troops in the Paci-
fic shortened the war against Jepan
by many months, and saved mil
lions of American casualties and
billions of dollars.
The parents of these soldiers are
recisllv disqualified from becoming
citizens, and this includes the wild
owed mother of an American sold
Ter who was posthumously awarded
Americas highest military honor =
the Congressional Medal.
In certain states, because these
persons are ineligible for citizen
ship, they are den ed The right to
own homes. or any kind of land
o.. to engage in more than 500 pro-
fessions and businesses.
Our immigration and natur liza
ton laws have pinned the badet
of second class citizens" upof
these Asian peoples through the
onus of implied inferiority
Such laws as the Oriental Elk.
clusion Act of 1924 have long con.
tributed to pre-war irritat on anc
sntagon'sm between America ant
the Far East. Even today the,
continue to be a sore spot in ou
International relations.
In both Korea and Japan. Ameri
ca now is attempting to implan
democracy. yet at home we main
tain discriminatory immigration
and naturalization laws agains
these peoples and thus abrogat
the very ideals we are attempting
to teach others-equality and hu
rsn dignity.
Former Ambassador to Japal
Joseph C. Grew, in a statemen
before a Congressional Committe
considering the Judd Bill 10
equality in naturalization and i'm
migration) on April 10. 1912. sal,
the Exclusion Laws We're a primar.
source Of bad relations with Japan