JACL Weekly Digest

July 29, 2025

JACL National News

Thank You for Another Wonderful National Convention!

Take Action Against the Alien Enemies Act!

Learn More at the Alien Enemies Act Landing Page on the JACL Website

President Trump has now invoked the Alien Enemies Act to target Venezuelan immigrants and already used it to arrest and deport hundreds of people without any due process, only specious accusations based on tattoos and social media posts, but not necessarily actual evidence of criminal activity.

The Supreme Court infamously affirmed the right of the government to take actions to preserve the security of our nation in the cases of Hirabayashi, Korematsu, and Yasui, while also affirming the right to due process in the case of ex parte Endo. The Alien Enemies Act deprives people of that constitutional right to due process affirmed by the Supreme Court.

Together, we can ensure that "Never Again" is more than a promise. Contact your members of Congress and urge them to oppose the President's use of the Alien Enemies Act and co-sponsor the Neighbors Not Enemies Act to repeal the Alien Enemies Act.  

You can also learn more about the Alien Enemies Act, the new JACL Alien Enemies Act Fund, hear stories of people who were subjected to the AEA in WWII, and more at our Alien Enemies Act landing page.  Click the button below or visit jacl.org/alien-enemies-act

JACL Chapters News

If any JACL Chapters would like to submit stories or events to the Weekly Digest, please send inquiries to Education Programs Manager, Matthew Weisbly at mweisbly@jacl.org

2025 Legacy Fund Grants Available Now!

Are you a chapter in good standing and thinking about furthering the mission and fulfilling the vision of the JACL? If so, apply for a 2023 Legacy Fund Grant today and use it as seed money to execute a multi-generational project or activity where your chapter (or district) can take a leadership role in local programming.

To learn more, please visit the JACL National Legacy Fund Grant page here or click below. Applications are due by Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 11:59 pm Hawaiian Standard Time. 

The JACL National Council established the Legacy Fund at the 1990 JACL National Convention in San Diego. Much of the original funds were donated by JACL members who gave portions of their redress awards to further the legacy of the JACL. Each year, a portion of the earnings from the Legacy Fund Endowment provides the funds to run the LFG program.

Puyallup JACL at the 2025 Bellevue Japan Fair

Puyallup Valley Chapter was invited to this year's Japan Fair in Bellevue, WA.

The purpose of this event is to celebrate Japanese art and culture.

This is an endeavor of musicians, artisans, community organizations, and businesses from both Japan and the U.S. who come together to share their products, talents, and knowledge of Japan.

Puyallup Valley shared the schedule for this year's Remembrance Gallery openings, plus the content of the Gallery.

In addition, we presented a workshop about the legacy of the Issei as they traveled from Japan, the wartime incarceration, and rebuilding post-war.

Using values of Yuuki, Shigata Ga Nai, Gaman, Gambatte, Kodomo No Tame Ni, and Okage Sama De, we connected the Issei to the current generations.

Pictured are the table displays plus Sharon Sobie Seymour, Gallery manager; Allen Nakamoto, Japan Fair Chair; Eileen Yamada Lamphere, Puyallup Valley President.

Puyallup Valley JACL was presented the Legacy Award for 2025.

Chicago Japanese Community Picnic on August 2

NCWNP District Youth Board - Palo Alto Obon Meet Up!

August 30: Intergenerational Conversations: Ripples of the Past

Saturday, August 30, 2025 | Midwest Buddhist Temple (435 W Menomonee St, Chicago IL 60614)

Intergenerational Conversations: Ripples of the Past is a JACL Chicago and Nikkei Uprising program that brings Chicago-area Nikkei (people of Japanese ancestry) together to connect and process the trauma of WWII forced displacement and incarceration through personal story sharing. It was created to bridge the gap in programming for the community’s need for containers to reflect on and heal from the generational impact of incarceration.

The goals for this program include:

• expanding understanding and awareness of the impacts of the WWII displacement and incarceration,
• creating a space where participants feel brave to explore difficult subjects and feelings with one another,
• encouraging community members to develop deeper connections with one another,
• catalyzing intergenerational processing and healing, and
• beginning to consider hopes and dreams for our community moving forward.
• For more information, visit https://jaclchicago.org/programs/intergenerational-conversations.

From Our Partners

Internship at Manzanar National Historic Site hosted by the Great Basin Institute

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with NPS at Manzanar Historic Site (MANZ), is recruiting one (1) Visitor Services Technician to participate in visitor and interpretation services at the site.
 

The Great Basin Institute seeks to hire a Research Associate (RA) to enhance Visitor Services at Manzanar National Historic Site (MNHS). The RA will support the interpretation and preservation of the Manzanar’s stories and resources and, among other duties, will:
 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Expand visitor services and enhance interpretive opportunities by staffing the visitor center desk;
• Provide orientation, information, and explanation to visitors about Manzanar’s historic context, interpretive themes, cultural and natural resources, management, and visitor opportunities;
• Using previously prepared research and documentation, lead guided walks, present talks, and answer questions on subjects related to the site and its stories;
• Will initiate informal interpretive contacts throughout the site; 
• Provide project support to address deferred/cyclic maintenance of interpretive exhibits/media;
• Digitize historic resources, such as scanning loaned or donated archives and photographs representing all eras of Manzanar’s history;  
• Help transcribe and check for accuracy oral histories to help make them accessible for public use; and
• Highlight the successes of these projects, including deferred/cyclic maintenance benefits, FLREA project accomplishments, as well as services and programs provided by the NPS and its partners at Manzanar.

This position will have intense and extensive public contact responsibilities. Passion for history and compassion for people is essential.

Tsuru for Solidarity - Voices in Solidarity

Tsuru for Solidarity (TFS) is thrilled to announce its upcoming Virtual Fundraiser and Community Celebration and the locations of in-person Watch Parties. TFS is also excited to introduce the MCs for this year’s program!

Please join us in welcoming Brynn Saito and Brandon Shimoda, two incredible poets and friends of Tsuru who bring deep heartfelt commitment to our shared work for justice. The Gate of Memory, edited by Saito and Shimoda, is a groundbreaking poetry anthology by descendants of WWII-incarcerated individuals, exploring intergenerational trauma and the enduring impact of mass incarceration in the U.S. and Canada. A selection of the poems will be read by descendants as the hosts highlight the resistance and liberation work of TFS campaigns and national partners. 

TFS will also honor this year’s recipients of the Tsuru Leadership and Activism Award! 

In addition, an empowering Nikkei singer/activist will be announced soon! Stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait to be in community with you.

The Incredible History of Nikkei Farmers in the Sacramento+ Region Hosted by KanshaHistory.org

JA Community Foundation Grant - Summer Letter of Inquiries Available Now

We're excited to announce that our newest Letter of Inquiry period is now open, beginning today and closing on July 31, 2025.  If you are interested in applying for a grant, you can begin the process by clicking here.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@jagives.org.

Our Debt of Gratitude -  Seeking Stories of People Who Helped Japanese Americans During WWII

2025 Pilgrimage Events

Crystal City Rising: Neighbors not Enemies - October 9-12th

The Crystal City Pilgrimage Committee has opened registration for the 2025 pilgrimage taking place October 9-12 in Texas. This year’s Pilgrimage theme is “Crystal City Rising - Neighbors Not Enemies.” In addition to learning about the unique history and stories of survivors of the Crystal City Concentration Camp, this year’s Pilgrimage will frame many of our programs through the lens of present-day attacks on immigrant communities. The event will include a visit to the site of the former prison camp in Crystal City, and a multi-day educational conference taking place in San Antonio.  

The registration fee costs $395.00 per person, which covers bus transportation from the hotel in San Antonio to Crystal City, pilgrimage-related meals, and other related pilgrimage costs. Registration can be completed using the online form at tinyurl.com/2025CCP. For questions about registration or assistance with the form, please email: info@crystalcitypilgrimage.org

Conference programs will be held at the DoubleTree San Antonio Airport Hotel (611 NW Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78216), which has a special group rate of $119.00 per night plus taxes for both single and double rooms for the duration of the event. Pilgrimage attendees can book online at tinyurl.com/2025CCPhotel using the discount code “CCP.” Hotel bookings can also be made by calling 1-888-728-3031 under the group name “Crystal City Pilgrimage.” 

2025 Poston Pilgrimage - October 24th and 25th!

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