A reminder that if the government can send migrants to a prison camp without any due process, it can send U.S. citizens there, too. I know because this happened to me and my family in 1942.
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i think about this often because my play uncle and auntie would tell us 'it can happen again.' and i thought that they were just bananas. now look at how things are. auntie kumi and uncle pete were NOT wrong.
That, in sociology, is known as the beginning of "the era/age of reconstruction" in the US, where new social safety nets were erected, and existing ones strengthened.
We've pinpointed the beginning of our current "era/age of erosion" with social safety nets being weakened as Regans administration.
I remember too.
Your people lost a lot of farms around Petaluma, CA, that's very valuable land now. What a mess.
I think restitution is not very expensive, in the long run.
@rmayemsinger.bsky.social
Can we stop calling these atrocities "deportations." These people sold to El Salvadorian prisons were not deported. Deportation is a process that did not take place.
The rich push them that way. It “works out well” for the people who put money over people. A family member of mine loves history and yet wasn’t taught about the Japanese “internment” camps here until his late 20s. Can’t stop what you don’t recognize
A shameful moment in our history, so sorry you had to go through that. I’ve spoken to Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and Sue Embry about Manzanar when I was in school. I don’t doubt (especially after today) that it could happen again.
So true, George. Too many youngsters don't get that, and many of the folks who were alive when it happened are no longer with us. Sadly, the ding-a-ling in the White House never studied history at all and is stuck in Fantasyland.
I never imagined that the injustice your family endured in America would be repeated. Instead, children have been separated from families (w/hundreds never reunited, green card holders, U.S. citizens and those seeking asylum are being deported, along w/violent gang members to prison in El Salvador.
This country imported slaves, forced them to have children who were then sold off/separated from their parents. Ripped native children from their homes and allowed them to be abused by priests/nuns. Stole homes/business and imprisoned Japanese families. If there's one thing I'm not, it's surprised.
I am more disgusted than surprised that collectively most Americans haven’t learned much from our past
history. Erasing American history, deleting people and historic events while claiming that DEI creates division is a crucial step practiced by those on the road to autocracy.
And I'm sorry for what your family endured. We need to prevent it from happening again. We can't without first getting rid of people like trump and musk. A bipartisan Congress needs to take action NOW.
They also tried to deport Puerto Ricans in Chicago. Companies run the ICE prisons. The more ppl in there, the more $ they get. No incentive to investigate cases. There are near starvation conditions. Ppl can ask families to put credit on their prison accounts to buy food. It is a corrupt system.
They have that's why everyone that doesn't have a driver's license should get a state ID because if you don't have any form of identification they won't think twice about holding you and not letting you call your family. I also carry my passport just in case.
This is a pretty good reason why real history needs to be taught and not whitewashed. I love your books by the way! I’m happy my children can learn the true history of Japanese Americans with your first hand account.
It's even worse: the government is kidnapping people off the streets who did nothing wrong and is sending them off-shore to a prison in a foreign country. From where they can never be extracted, as they claim. And all this without a warrant or due process.
Yes, but I’m pretty sure the Trump
Administration has a color and religious test. I’m good but my wife and son aren’t. I can alway lie about the religious part since I have a Catholic background.
How long has the U.S. Constitution applied in Yemen?
There are many things wrong with that case, but rights the U.S. Constitution confers apply only on American soil - where the American Constitution applies.
This is also why El Salvador is being paid to run a prison for America.
Supposedly the El Salvador prison is for those nonlegal residents and by being on US soil are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, I’m not sure about the right to be returned to one’s country of origin, but the Trump administrations illegality have never been in question.
While I understand George’s warning, it is hardly a new concern. The President with executive power, through emergency declaration can remove your constitutional rights, and this happened under FDR, under Obama and now again. The abdication of responsibilities by Congress is my concern
The right to due process and the right to a trial are rights guaranteed to American citizens by the American Constitution, the location of the citizen doesn’t matter. Just because a citizen is anywhere in the world, they don’t lose that protection from the US government
This story makes me physically ill. We need to do whatever it takes to get ALL of those people out of there and stop this madness! Our tax dollars are pay for this brutal prison in El Salvador!!
And 11,000 German immigrants and German Americans were also sent to internment camps - just in case anyone thinks it can't happen to "white" people - Italians were put in camps too.
true, although it's worth noting those ones were far nicer and the basis for the people being interned there wasn't purely "they're german/italian". they had material nondiplomatic links to enemy government, were suspected spies, and things of that sort.
the equivalent would have been every german or italian american east of the mississippi being put in concentration camps and having their property stolen. that simply did not happen.
Unfortunately, you know from personal experience what happens when the people allow their government to have unlimited, unchecked power over its citizens. This will not end well for the U.S.
We visited Amache National Historic site in 2023. One of this nation’s darkest hours putting citizens in these camps. Never thought it would happen again. Disgusting. #japaneseintermentcamp
I'm so sorry you and your family had to go through such an awful experience. I'm sure everything happening today brings back those terrifying days. Stay close to your family and love them. 🫶
I remember learning of you & your family's internment encampment during his first reign of terror.
Hatred is so ingratiated in the GOP & it's worshipers.Their character is reflected in their cheerful approval of each of these atrocities. May they get everything they deserve.
💔 It's unbearable. I'm so sorry sir that you and your family went thru this. Horrific that you went thru this and unbelievable that it is happening again.
That possibility worries me tremendously, on a personal level, because one of my closest friends is a naturalized citizen. Melania and her father are naturalized citizens (as was her late mother). Usha vance’s parents are also naturalized citizens. The regime will dance around those facts, somehow.
Not one scintilla of a human reaction. An absolutely repugnant little being enabled by sycophants and a political party that has no care or concern for the people of the USA or the rest of the world.
Live close
to the middle of the
Utah desert
there is still nothing there
but despair
and
HOPE
I could feel the Hope
of the human beings
never again is what
WE PROMISED
Standing next
you George
Trump abused due process to squirm out of all accountability and then discarded it to falsely accuse and disappear people.
Next time he's prosecuted, I hope justice is swift and harsh.
My mother told me recently how she remembered in the 40s walking by shuttered businesses in East LA & my Grandfather (an immigrant) would see the signs 🪧 indicated the owner had been Japanese American and said “Poor bastard..”.
I meet my grandfather once before he returned to UK.
Exactly. Everyone’s priority should be saving and protecting the constitution and our rights. Somewhere along the way, a lot of people have lost sight of this.
It’s so disheartening that our country has become the bad guy again, George. I really hope we don’t slip back into doing any more of those atrocities committed during WWII. These disappearances are scary.
This is true.
“Human rights” so far has proven to be an illusion.
And if folks don’t believe that, ask that innocent man in El Salvador what he thinks or the parents of all the dead kids in Palestine who will never see justice
PS: not a supporter of anything, only the innocent.
Since the trump/GOP CABAL has demonstrated they are perfectly happy and willing to eliminate due process, they can do ANYTHING to ANYBODY! Nobody is safe! NOBODY!
WE ARE ALL IN DANGER!
#MATA Make America Think Again!
#USDemocracy
Ah, there’s the problem. I suspect for decades the American public has been conditioned to responding emotionally rather than rationally - something to do with a culture of marketing perhaps
How long before we have to carry around “papers” proving that we are US Citizens? Our birth certificate, social security card, US passport, whatever documentation we need to prove that we aren’t here illegally even if we are US born and our family has been here for generations.
Some latinos have already begun doing that- or putting a copy of birth certificate in their small child’s backpack, in case the school is raided and the child caught up without the parent there.
Neither did I. I left it for my kid. Who is now 19. Now, I'm too lazy to deal with it. But, thinking on the name thing. It would be a way to get rid of trans people as well.
A shameful period. Australia, my country did much the same with people whose ancestry was from Axis nations.
There were few Japanese interns. This was due to an equally shameful policy of 'White Australia'.
Also, they can just say that you’re not a citizen, and if you have no access to the courts then how would you even be able to prove them wrong?!?
It’s due process for all or due process for none. That’s the choice.
No, no one thinks it's the same fucking thing which is why it's absolutely ridiculous that Trump would drag this tired old bitch of a law out of the depths of hell just to repeat a history of the U.S. incarcerating people based on race & without due process.
Oh, you expect me to believe in your sincere interest to solve the worlds problems? Okay, I'll play. By gangs do you mean all 600 or so of the Tren de Aragua? I guess I just thought we could probably address it without invoking a national crisis & paying 6 million dollars to a foreign country.
Stand up fight back! The National Immigration Law Center states that even undocumented immigrants have certain basic rights under the U.S. Constitution.The Constitution also guarantees that no state shall deprive any person of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law". https://www.nilc.org
Who does everyone think the scores of new detention camps and expanded agreement with El Salvador are for?? Answer: ANYONE they want to get rid of for any reason.
Thank you for continuing to be an unrelenting reminder of this, Uncle George! We all need to hear this again and again until the unjustified kidnapping of people is stopped and those responsible are held accountable.
I am so sorry that happened to you, I had the misfortune of seeing those buildings where they housed the Japanese people during that time, I could only weep.
This happened to my wife’s grandparents too, George. They took their store, home, money…everything. It’s a stain on this country that I fear is repeating.
I contacted my Rep, Michael Baumgartner (R). He doesn't reply to anything, he doesn't appear in public, he doesn't make statements. He's a complete #twat. But that's what I have right now: participating in @indivisible.org events and trying to get a message through the walls to my Rep.
Well, not long from now, Rep. Michael Baumgartner may need to make new friends.
I've kept making calls to all our electeds District Offices and D.C. offices.
Keep at it . . .
I guess we have to get used to it or nominate a person someone in our district has heard of.
This district is ripe for a turn away from the GOP. Go to the northern counties, who vote 75% GOP, and ask them what they get in return for their support?
Not dismissing what happened to you, but at least you were in the country. Their current excuse is "They're in El Salvador. We have no control" even though they are paying El Salvador for their upkeep. Frightening.
If these neighborhoods don't fight back for their people, they will only get more brazen. Let me catch them in price hill, they gonna have to get us ALL! And we strapped heavy up here!
I've heard 2 versions, 1 where they had documentation that he's a gang member, 2 it was an accident but we're not bringing him home. And I also heard he's on a plane back right now. Time will tell how this travesty ends.
Musk said on camera in the Oval Office that funding had been reinstated to Ebola Prevention.
I have seen no evidence that it has; but that funding is included in court documents fighting reinstatement of funding to multiple things, implying that it has not been reinstated
Again: My parents who served as Marines in WWII drove us out to see the internment camp in AZ so we would know it should never happen again. And here we are...
I feel like this is the real test of the judiciary. If they rule in trumps favor, his presidency can only end with blood in the streets. If they rule against him, AS THEY SHOULD, it will be a test of Congress to hold him accountable as he will no doubt refuse to comply.
I have more (a little more) faith that SCOTUS will rule against him than Congress would impeach him. I also have very little faith that he will be held accountable either way.
So sorry that happened to you. It was horrible and wrong then and it is even MORE horrible now. WHEN are we going to stop the hate and LEARN the LESSONS that HISTORY can teach us.
That's what the Gang Leader, the Golden Calf, is already talking about...and regarding his comments about the law, since when does he care about the law...
@georgetakei.bsky.social I know you’ve written extensively about this but could you please give a brief post about the long term impact this had on you personally?
People need to remember that "checking whether you're a citizen or not" is part of due process. And if they're denied due process nobody will check (or care) if they're a citizen.
That’s how the Maryland guy got deported- if ANY judge or court officer had spoken to him or read his file, they’d have seen that he had legal status to stay AND work. It’s annoying to have an admin skim through all the paperwork, but it’s important.
Those of us who know - heed your warning. I applaud you for speaking out about this horrific time in your life and many others lives as you have for so long . 👏🏼
My 90 year old aunt (seen here with our dog pack) & her family were sent to the same camp as yours, George. Never shows resentment or bitterness over the experience, so a far better person than me.
And people lost everything. Just like the Jews in Europe. That was part of the theft then, too. People were wealthy and people were envious of what they had, and the people “were disappeared” and were put in concentration camps.
That’s how it started with Hitler. Greed. Prejudice. Hate.
“This is a kind of strongman arrangement where it doesn’t really matter what the facts are, because what really matters is that one person controls things. And it certainly doesn’t really matter what the law is. There might be laws on the books, they might exist…”
I am so sorry for the pain and suffering you and your family went through. My heart breaks at the cruelty of mankind. But it also lightens my heart to see so much kindness and wisdom from those who survived such crucibles. You live in honor and give hope. Thank you.
This is still why my sister in law who is Japanese will not travel to the states. I wanted to meet my brother and her in Hawaii a few times but she got detained the last time for 8 hours.
My mother and sister heard you speak about it. On behalf of all of the American citizens who KNEW this was wrong, I humbly apologize for what you and your family went through. Hate backed by power is terrifying to all.
He already said he wants too. He talks about legal this and that, then goes into prosecutors and judges not doing their jobs because of politics, and that he’s not gonna worry about that.
Don’t just believe me, watch the video.
Comments
1932: Economy tanks
Voters: "Time for a New Deal."
Democrats: "Thanks, Smoot and Hawley, for the assist!"
We've pinpointed the beginning of our current "era/age of erosion" with social safety nets being weakened as Regans administration.
Your people lost a lot of farms around Petaluma, CA, that's very valuable land now. What a mess.
I think restitution is not very expensive, in the long run.
Something valuable a billionaire wants? Deport the owner, fire the employees, disappear the funding.
Can we stop calling these atrocities "deportations." These people sold to El Salvadorian prisons were not deported. Deportation is a process that did not take place.
EL SALVADOR Prison has an evil reputation
Dont COME HERE YOURSELF,
and then play victim about it
SEND THEM TO CANADA
This could never happen to them in canada
Send them to George Takei's house
Where nobody can harm them, next door to George Takei
With your iconic
And well respected voice
Makes an indelible impact
Because of who you are
Profoundly sorry and ashamed
You and your family were
Treated that way
Thank you so much
For doing all the good things
That you do for all of us
I'm doing my best to stop it from happening again, but I'm not optimistic of success. 1200+ disappeared already.
This is absolutely terrifying
history. Erasing American history, deleting people and historic events while claiming that DEI creates division is a crucial step practiced by those on the road to autocracy.
How long until they start rounding us up too and start throwing us into camps for “mandatory conversion therapy”
I’m so confused.
To where? Back to where they came from… the United States territory of PR??? How does that work…?
https://bookshop.org/p/books/my-lost-freedom-a-japanese-american-world-war-II-story-george-takei/20601037?ean=9780593566350
Administration has a color and religious test. I’m good but my wife and son aren’t. I can alway lie about the religious part since I have a Catholic background.
It’s random bc trump is literally insane and it’s allowed bc it’s meant to invoke terror which is useful to controlling us.
No one is safe
Next they’ll turn on each other in loyalty tests
It’s already happening.
Someone needs to stop him.
Enough is enough.
It’s not even 4 months he’s in power…. and the crimes are piling up already.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Abdulrahman_al-Awlaki
There are many things wrong with that case, but rights the U.S. Constitution confers apply only on American soil - where the American Constitution applies.
This is also why El Salvador is being paid to run a prison for America.
🇨🇦🇺🇦✌️
https://youtu.be/_QmW99SqBuw
We will be again and they're just going to laugh at us instead of doing the right thing for all of humanity.
Hatred is so ingratiated in the GOP & it's worshipers.Their character is reflected in their cheerful approval of each of these atrocities. May they get everything they deserve.
https://www.businessinsider.com/which-republicans-trade-review-act-trump-tariffs-2025-4?op=1&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=topbar
Not one scintilla of a human reaction. An absolutely repugnant little being enabled by sycophants and a political party that has no care or concern for the people of the USA or the rest of the world.
to the middle of the
Utah desert
there is still nothing there
but despair
and
HOPE
I could feel the Hope
of the human beings
never again is what
WE PROMISED
Standing next
you George
GOP wants everyone afraid.
Next time he's prosecuted, I hope justice is swift and harsh.
I meet my grandfather once before he returned to UK.
Same MO. Kidnapping into forced labor.
It was chilling then, but at least we could believe it wouldn't ever repeat.
It's sickening to see that coming again.
“Human rights” so far has proven to be an illusion.
And if folks don’t believe that, ask that innocent man in El Salvador what he thinks or the parents of all the dead kids in Palestine who will never see justice
PS: not a supporter of anything, only the innocent.
WE ARE ALL IN DANGER!
#MATA Make America Think Again!
#USDemocracy
Trump is deporting US citizens.
And MAGA will clap their hands like weak seals.
There were few Japanese interns. This was due to an equally shameful policy of 'White Australia'.
It’s due process for all or due process for none. That’s the choice.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-records-show-about-migrants-sent-to-salvadoran-prison-60-minutes-transcript
And it's already affecting US citizens.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/01/salvador-man-maryland-deported-mistake-00262870
Love you, Mr Takei!
I've kept making calls to all our electeds District Offices and D.C. offices.
Keep at it . . .
VOTE HIM OUT!!
This district is ripe for a turn away from the GOP. Go to the northern counties, who vote 75% GOP, and ask them what they get in return for their support?
The highest unemployment in the state. Chronic.
https://bsky.app/profile/onestpress.bsky.social/post/3lmd2n77ko22g
I have seen no evidence that it has; but that funding is included in court documents fighting reinstatement of funding to multiple things, implying that it has not been reinstated
They lie as they breathe.
I actually haven’t finished reading it:/ I’ve had it for ages and really need to finish it now more than ever!
https://www.8newsnow.com/news/national-news/trump-on-possibility-of-sending-american-inmates-to-el-salvador-prison-i-love-that/
We are currently experiencing a higher call volume than normal”
“We are currently experiencing a longer wait time than normal”
That’s how it started with Hitler. Greed. Prejudice. Hate.
https://youtu.be/k6fpu_9S31c?si=2LffdJlLLh8Fg8DS
NONE of this makes any sense at all. Next he'll want deport everyone who's not a Native American...until he realizes his heritage is German/Scottish.
We can only hope everyone’s listening.
Thank you, Sir.
#RESIST
#STOPFELON47
Don’t just believe me, watch the video.
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-sending-americans-el-salvador-prison-2056122
https://flip.it/hhrM7s
Another "modern improvement" of Trump's MAGA regime.