Pres. Joe Biden signed into law on Wednesday a bill reauthorizing funding for the preservation of Japanese internment sites and creating a new $10 million federal grant program to promote education about Japanese American internment during World War II.

What You Need To Know

  • During World War II, the U.S. government ordered approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans into internment camps

  • The Japanese American Confinement Sites program was established in 2006. The program helps to preserve the sites of former internment camps, including the Honouliuli Internment Camp in Hawaii

  • The Norman Y. Mineta Japanese American Confinement Education Act was co-authored by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif.

  • The new competitive grant program is intended to help educate people about the historical importance of Japanese American confinement

“The internment of Japanese American citizens remains one of the darkest and most shameful periods in our history,” said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, who joined with U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., the Norman Y. Mineta Japanese American Confinement Education Act. “The stories of so many who unjustly lost their freedom, lost property, and were forcibly uprooted from their homes should be a constant reminder of our duty to uphold the rights of every American.

“Our new law will ensure that we continue to preserve internment sites and create a new grant program to educate more people about Japanese American confinement,” Schatz said.

During World War II, the U.S. government ordered approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans into internment camps, a violation of civil rights that more than 40 years later would result in a formal apology and financial compensation for survivors.

The Japanese American Confinement Sites program was established in 2006. The program helps to preserve the sites of former internment camps, including the Honouliuli Internment Camp in Hawaii.

The new competitive grant program is intended to help educate people about the historical importance of Japanese American confinement.

The bill was co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii; Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.;  Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.; Ron Wyden; D-Ore.,; Patty Murray, D-Wash.; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., John Hickenlooper, D-Colo.; Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.; and Alex Padilla, D-Calif.