The civil rights of Japanese immigrants and Japanese-descended U.S. citizens were violated when they were forcibly moved first to “assembly centers” and then to “relocation centers” (also known as “internment camps”) during World War II. Nevertheless, all male and female adult internees were allowed to vote for camp advisory council at the Tanforan Assembly Center—a first for immigrants from Japan, who generally lacked voting rights because they could not naturalize and become American citizens. After World War II, citizenship and voting rights gradually opened to Asian immigrants.
The original caption for this image, taken by photographer Dorothea Lange for the War Relocation Authority, reads: San Bruno, California. Entering Recreational Hall where election is being held for Councilman. A general election for five members of the Tanforan Assembly Center Advisory Council is being held on this day. The Issei have never been able to vote before because of American naturalization laws.
