Speech #1020066260

His efforts helped ensure that no group of Americans would ever experience the bigotry. violation of rights and inhumanity seen when this Nations Government detained its own citizens based solely on their ancestry. After the war. Masaoka and the JACL also succeeded In eliminating offensive bias against people of Japanese ancestry In our immigration and nationality laws. As a result of their efforts. Congress repealed the Japanese Exclusion Act of 1924 which had prevented Japanese Immigrants from owning land or becoming American citizens. Mike was again at the forefront of efforts to amend the WalterMcCarran Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1952 giving Japanese immigrants the same rights as Europeans under visa preference categories based on national origin. Our earlier Immigration system effectively barred entry to Japanese and other Asian Immigrants because preference was first given to Europeans. The amendments helped lay the foundation for a more equitable Immigration policy and succeeded In keeping new American families together. Throughout his life. Mike worked to better the lives of others.