Within days of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the FBI would make arrests. Over 100 Japanese men A series of large-scale sweeps took place in the Imperial Valley, separating families from their donors. In the weeks that follow, a wave of terror will sweep through our country, with federal, state and local authorities taking panicked political action against local Japanese men, women and children. Six months later, all Japanese residents of the Imperial Valley, including farmers, business owners, ministers, and early settlers, ordered to evacuate Take only what you can carry.Everything will eventually be transported by bus Indian Reservation in the Arizona Desert.

Driven by panic and fear, America will also not offer economic protection to those who are suddenly forced to abandon everything they have worked for in pursuit of the American Dream. This was not an “evacuation”.shake your head and wave your handsThis was the mass deportation and imprisonment of Japanese families in the Imperial Valley. This tragedy, which revealed the complicity of the virus and the real consequences of failed leadership, both moral and political, in our country, should be remembered forever. Before the war, nearly two-thirds of Japanese Americans on the West Coast worked in agriculture, 40% of all California vegetablesinclude Nearly 100% of tomatoes, celery, strawberries and peppers. Nearly three-quarters of the Japanese population in our Valley were employed and farmed. tens of thousands of acrescompleted the melon industryAs a result, Succeeded in cultivating head lettuce for the first time Leading the United States on a commercial basis in lettuce production.

World War II and the attack on Pearl Harbor would change everything for our valley and the Japanese who helped build it.

Less than two years before President Franklin D. Roosevelt deported more than 120,000 Japanese Americans from the West Coast on February 19, more than 600 Japanese Americans from Imperial Valley were assigned to serve in Imperial County. stood before the committee. pledge their allegiance to America. Elsewhere in the valley, draft political party Hosted by the Japanese Service Club, it was held to say goodbye to local Japanese men enlisting in the U.S. military. Dinner for local officials To further prove our loyalty to America. Despite these positive efforts, when the war began, everything was blatantly ignored by the fear-blinded populace.

Whether referred to as “” by federal officialsenemy raceor legislators justifying their placement ininland concentration camps‘, and similar sentiments toward the Japanese echoed at the local level. County Sheriff Robert W. Ware warned residents:If you see a Japanese person, report it.” to the authorities. Our Agriculture Department also passed unanimously. Resolution I urged Governor Warren to do whatever it takes to keep them out of California.