Main Points of Civil Liberties Act 1988 Essay Example

of the principal groups with interest was Asian American Citizens League; wherein 1970, the commission called for redress and at the same time, a lobby was formed to pass major civil rights legislations. They excluded Asian ancestry individuals who suffered enormous damages both tangible and intangible and were unconfirmed losses in a training of jobs and education. For these violations, the constitutional rights and civil liberties of the Asian ancestry, apologies were made by the congress on behalf of the whole nation.

The United States government in 1942 and 1945 forced around 120,000 Asian Americans away from their schools, farms, homes, and even jobs plus businesses in the violation of civil rights and liberation according to the constitution (United States, 2003). The United States in 1941 entered into World War 2 just after the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Asian where everyone was looked upon by anti-Asian prejudice which started from hate and suspicion. A bipartisan group on August 2, 1979, which included senators, introduced a commission on relocation and Internment of a civilian act and wartime. Most democrats introduced the companion bill act, with more than 110 representatives of sponsors. The congress passed both bills, where two chambers reached an agreement on the bills differences.

On the West coast, a fear on Asian Americans hysteria as the enemy within and the fifth column was established by journalists, the U.S Army and also politicians where expulsion was led the Asian Americans as quickly as possible. President Franklin D. Roosevelt on 19th February 1942 passed into law the Executive Order 9066, which included internment and exclusion of all Asian Americans who lived on the west coast, outside

of Hawaii (United States, 2003). Two camps from the opposition redressed; with veterans groups and Californian organizations objected $1.25B to the ones who suffered the inconvenience but were still fed, clothed and sheltered. A lot of soldiers placed their lives in the battle, where many died, lost friends, body parts.

The Asian Americans incarceration and exclusion started in March 1942, as the WAR (War Relocation Authority) was started to administer the camps. Internees during the first phase were transported on buses and trains under heavy guards from the military where temporary detention centers were prepared (United States, 2003). These temporary detentions were based in California and another at Oregon. They were like fairgrounds, race tracks or pavilions. The livestock stalls housed detainees or windowless shacks that lacked sufficient electricity, ventilations or sanitation facilities. There was the inadequate shortage of food and medicines as more and more food were often destroyed.

However, with a large number of Americans, Japanese Americans went back to Japan just after the outbreak of the 2nd World War for different reasons (Hatamiya, 2003). Others even went back to check on their aging relatives and friends while others went to learn the Japanese culture and language. They stayed in Japan temporarily, where Americans went for diplomatic and business assignments. The government of United States declared war on Japan and canceled all travel plans and advisory for all American citizens who lived in Japan at that time. With most citizens claiming about their families, most voiced their concern to bring back friends and families from Japan.

The moving for about 500 deportees daily was the start of the second phase, which was done daily from different

centers to permanent concentrations camps. These camps were from remote and inhabitable places, especially in deserts where the temperatures were more than 100 degrees which were not suitable for a human being (Hatamiya, 2003). Also, these camps were surrounded by barbed wire and towers full of guards where guards were fully armed and patrolled all the perimeters as they were instructed to shoot anyone attempting to escape. The Asian Americans suffered greatly due to the relocation programs, where they were shocked after releasing they were not being resettled to the communities.

Many lost their business and homes as they believed that they will be relocated to their homes rather than to be in prison. Their careers, education were all interrupted and what they possessed was lost. They lost faith with the government and the suffered humiliation of being traitors in their only country. Months later, a commission of inquiry was formed that recommended the United States government to apologize and pay the survivors as a form of redress (Hatamiya, 2003).

Throughout the 2nd World War, no incident of treason was found neither does espionage committed by the Japanese Americans. The disadvantage of committing such acts was not explained as something wrong, as the Japanese Americans were relocated for transportation difficulty from the mainland to the state’s population. Many young men fought for the US whereas their families were imprisoned, as the Japanese Americans were highly decorated, with combat team that one’s fought with the Italians. President Roosevelt in December 1944 announced the relocation and exclusion of Japanese Americans from the West Coast, giving their land to the internees. There were some problems with the relocation, as prejudice

was high around the west coast. Many Japanese lived with poverty, never regained their losses and also poor health status.

Another commission which was started to establish Wartime Relocation and Internment was formed on July 31, 1980; to help and investigate the Japanese Americans incarceration and resident legality during the War. The commission finalized by ending detention, exclusion, military necessity into camps and also analyzed conditions to be given to the military. However, the history was broader and also shaped the decisions with war hysteria, race prejudice and the political failure in leadership.

President Ronald Reagan signed into law on August 10, 1988, the civil liberties Act, that provided apologize and internees redress who are still living. Most of the civilians, who were in prison died, even after the bill was officially signed. The bill in 1988 also had a clause about Public Education Fund, which helped to give research and educational activities to the public by distributing and publishing the hearings. All the recommendations and findings of the commission were forced to remove internment of different civilians and resident’s permanent resident’s aliens of the Asian community will be well remembered (United States & United States, 2002).

Never before had the government offered redress to a group of citizens with a constitutional right. Records were cleared and questions were taken into action by the US government. It gave the Japanese and Asian American community’s at large faith in the system of governance in America. The redress also promised that no other group in America will be incarcerated because of ethnic, race, religion or any other characteristic. It showed victory to Asian American community.

Reference

• United States. (2003). Amendments to
  

the Civil Liberties Act of 1988: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Second Congress, second session on H.R. 4551, H.R. 4553, and H.R. 4570, amendments to the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, March 26, 1992. Washington: U.S. G.P.O.
file:///C:/Users/Tt/AppData/Local/Temp/Model%20Minority.htm