Federal Agents Kill Two People In Minneapolis Within Two Weeks

January 26, 2026

JACL Calls for Congressional Oversight and Independent Investigation of the Department of Homeland Security’s Killings of Protestors.

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is outraged by the killings of two people in Minneapolis at the hands of federal immigration agents during protests against immigration enforcement operations. JACL demands accountability from the federal government for the deaths of Renee Good on January 7 and Alex Pretti on January 24. These killings are part of an alarming pattern of violence instigated by the Department of Homeland Security. In January alone, five people have been shot by federal immigration officers, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, with nine people in total having been killed in 2026 thus far. Not to mention the over 30 people who died while in ICE custody in 2025. Rather than proceed with an investigation or oversight into these most recent use-of-force incidents, the administration nearly instantaneously attempted to justify them, calling both Good and Pretti “domestic terrorists.” This administration has made clear through its words and actions that it values its immigration agenda over human life and the protections of the Constitution. 

2026 JACL National Scholarship Applications Available Now!

Scholarship Program guidelines, instructions, and applications have been posted on the JACL website, www.jacl.org, and can be accessed by clicking the “Youth” tab on the menu bar. You may also click the button below, "To Learn More or Apply Click Here."

Freshman applications must be submitted directly by the applicant to National JACL through the online form no later than Monday, March 2, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Hawaiian Standard Time (HST).  

Applications for the non-freshman scholarship categories (undergraduate, graduate, law, creative/performing arts, and financial aid) are also to be sent directly by the applicant to National JACL through the online form no later than Friday, April 3, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Hawaiian Standard Time (HST).  

All those applying to the National JACL Scholarship Program must be a youth/student or individual member of the JACL; a couple/family membership held by a parent does NOT meet this requirement. Applicants must be enrolled in school in Fall 2025 to be eligible for a scholarship. If a student has received two National scholarship awards previously, they are no longer eligible to apply as the limit is two national awards per person.

The JA Experience - Website & Video Series

The JAExperience.org is a long-needed update to our printed curriculum guide, The Japanese American Experience. Rather than a traditional reprint, we are excited to bring the Japanese American Experience into the modern age with a fully fledged website! 

Alongside the new website, we're also introducing the Japanese American Experience Video Series! Thanks to the Takahashi Family Foundation, we'll be publishing a series of ten short videos spanning the history of the Japanese American community. The series will be available on the JA Experience Website, and each video will be narrated by a community member and feature archival footage and photos. 

2026 Day of Remembrance Events!

As we're coming up on Day of Remembrance, JACL is once again asking all of our chapters and supporters to send us information on any events that you know of so that we can share it with the wider membership and Japanese American community! 

Please send any information you have on your DOR events, including date(s), times, any website/social links, and images/flyers you might have! We'll continually update the listing, so if you currently only have some information and are still waiting on more, send us what you have, and we can update the event page. The event page and calendar is available through the button below! 

Send any program information you have to Education Programs Manager, Matthew Weisbly at mweisbly@jacl.org

(front row left to right) Sacramento Mayor Pro Tem, Eric Guerra, Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Sac JACL VP Debbie Eto, Sac JACL Board Member Esther Hokama. (second row) Assemblywoman Stephanie Nguyen, Sac JACL Secretary Randy Fong, Board Member Michael Luszczak, Sac JACL Pres. Roger Fujii, Sac JACL Treasurer Kathy Delmendo and President Emeritus Janice Luszczak.

Sacramento JACL Installation and Community Recognition Awards

(left to right) Assemblywoman Stephanie Nguyen, Awardees John Yoshikawa, Bill Wong, Congresswoman Doris, Awardees Connie Rusynyk, Russell Okubo, Sacramento Mayor ProTem Eric Guerra.

2026 Seattle JACL Mochitsuki Recap

Seattle JACL's Stefi and Tsuki, two of the 200 registered participants, show their handiwork prepping freshly boiled edamame waiting to become zunda, one of over a half dozen hand crafted toppings made for this year' community mochitsuki that the chapter was responsible for.  Co-chaired by the Fukuoka kenjinkai and, the Japanese Community and Cultural Center of WA, this annual mochitsuki is actually a leadership development project operating in stealth mode.

Sacramento Japantown Museum Exhibit Project

Reclaim Sacramento Japantown is raising funds for a Fall 2026 exhibit at the Sacramento History Museum at 101 I Street in Old Sacramento. This immersive, multi-room experience brings the lost neighborhood back to life through sound, light, artifacts, and community storytelling.

For generations, Sacramento Japantown was a vibrant cultural and economic center. The physical neighborhood was devastated by forced removal during World War II and later demolished by downtown redevelopment. But the story lives on.

January 31: SELANOCO-OC JACL Installation

January 31: Monterey JACL Movie Night - Tampopo

March 14: Monterey JACL Documentary Screening and Discussion - Fruits of Labor 

March 22: Temari Zushi Cooking Demo with San Diego JACL

Little Tokyo Cleanup - January 31!

Join Sammie Cirelli & Megan Miyamoto in their effort to clean up Little Tokyo. In partnership with their platforms: Go Little Tokyo & Sustainable Little Tokyo. 

These cleanups are a hands-on way to support the neighborhood, meet your neighbors, and take pride in keeping Little Tokyo beautiful.

🧹 What to Expect:

• Supplies provided (trash bags, gloves, grabbers)

• Family-friendly and open to all ages

• Meet at a Hashimoto Plaza in Little Tokyo

✨Date: January 31, 2026 11 am - 1 pm
📍 Meeting Location: Hashimoto Plaza (pathway connecting JACCC and 2nd Street)

2026 Minoru Yasui Student Contest

Suffolk University - Research Study on Experiences of Racism/Discrimination

The REACH (Resilience, Empowerment, Advocacy & Allyship, Cultural Responsiveness, and Healing) Lab at Suffolk University in Boston is currently conducting the WESPOC Study (Wellness, Emotions, and Support among People of Color). This study explores people of color’s experiences with racism and discrimination, sources of support in their lives, and mental health concerns. Individuals may be eligible to participate if they:

• Are 18 years or older

• Can read English

• Identify as a person of color

Participation is completely voluntary, and responses to the study survey are anonymous (full details of data protection included in the informed consent portion of the study survey). We hope this research will help deepen our understanding of wellness and support systems within communities of color, and your organization’s help in reaching community members would be invaluable.

I Am An American - Nisei Soldier Experience Traveling Exhibit Opening in San Francisco February 2026

Registration for the Jerome/Rohwer Pilgrimage is Now Open!

The Jerome Rohwer Pilgrimage allows survivors, descendants, and others to learn about and discuss the legacy and aftermath of WWII era concentration camps in the USA.  One day of the Pilgrimage is a trip to the concentration camp sites in Jerome and Rohwer, with a short program in McGehee, AR, that includes taiko drummers and a short Obon festival to honor the spirits of our ancestors.  There will be two full days of programming in Little Rock, with historical sessions, survivor perspectives, intergenerational and generational discussions, social activities, and opportunities to research family histories.  Learning  and open conversation lead to understanding and healing.  A program summary is linked below.