Rep. Mark Takano Links WWII Japanese Internment to Modern Immigration Raids

Representative Mark Takano, a Democrat from California and ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, heard constituents say they now carry passports to prove legal status. He said his parents’ childhood incarceration in World War II Japanese-American camps makes today’s immigration raids feel like a repeat of that “enemy alien” labeling.

This congressman's family was swept up in WWII Japanese detention. He sees a repeat in today's raids

During World II, about 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry—both immigrants and U.S.-born citizens—were forcibly relocated to camps such as Tule Lake, California, and Heart Mountain, Wyoming. The 1988 Civil Liberties Act, signed by President Ronald Reagan, apologized for the “grave injustice” and paid $20,000 to each surviving internee. Takano’s parents received that apology and compensation.

This congressman's family was swept up in WWII Japanese detention. He sees a repeat in today's raids

Takano cites his parents, William Takano and Nancy Tsugiye Sakamoto, detained as toddlers, and his grandparents, Isao Takano and Kazue Takahashi, who ran a Seattle farm. He confronts President Donald Trump, whose campaign pledged a mass deportation operation, and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who promised a low-profile approach. Conservative and Republican lawmakers continue to fund the operation. Wartime relocation affected about 120,000 Japanese Americans; 1988 Civil Liberties Act paid $20,000 per surviving internee; Trump administration targets one million deportations annually and has secured billions for immigration enforcement.

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Takano told Associated Press his family’s experience shows a “similarity of circumstance” with today’s “enemy alien” labeling and that the raids amount to “incarceration camps.” He urged Congress to act before generations judge policy. The administration says the sweeps are necessary for national security; DHS Secretary Mullin pledged a low-profile approach. Republican lawmakers continue to fund the operation.

This congressman's family was swept up in WWII Japanese detention. He sees a repeat in today's raids

Conservative groups argue strict enforcement is essential to curb illegal immigration, supporting the one-million-deportation goal and the billions earmarked for enforcement. They claim the administration’s actions protect public safety and uphold the rule of law.

This congressman's family was swept up in WWII Japanese detention. He sees a repeat in today's raids

• “They’re put into these incarceration camps,” — Mark Takano

This congressman's family was swept up in WWII Japanese detention. He sees a repeat in today's raids

• “We look back on that era of history as a shameful one, as a time when our political leaders failed the Constitution, failed the American people,” — Mark Takano

This congressman's family was swept up in WWII Japanese detention. He sees a repeat in today's raids

• “Will Americans generations from now visit Alligator Alcatraz and think to themselves, How could our government do this?” — Mark Takano

This congressman's family was swept up in WWII Japanese detention. He sees a repeat in today's raids

• “Remarkably the country did come to realize the mistake,” — Mark Takano

This congressman's family was swept up in WWII Japanese detention. He sees a repeat in today's raids

Takano said talks are underway to design a redress package for those affected by immigration sweeps, echoing 1988 model. Lawmakers are expected to introduce legislation with apologies, compensation, or remedies.

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The sources lack exact numbers of people detained or deported in the current raids, leaving the scale unclear.

This congressman's family was swept up in WWII Japanese detention. He sees a repeat in today's raids