Mistreatment of Italian Americans in WWII

Impact

Impact:

This issue in our nation's history is one that can be forgiven but never forgotten. House bill H.R. 1706 asks for a grant of $3,000,000 from the Secretary of Education to be used strictly to educate the American public about the mistreatments of Italian Americans during WWII. In addition to this, H.R. 1707 asks for a formal apology from Congress on behalf of the U.S. government for the mistreatments.

Debate Summary

Present your argument:

Shortly after WWII began, 600,000 Italian immigrants in the U.S. were classified by the government as "enemy aliens". Our government thought that these people might show sympathy towards Italy and try to aid the enemy during wartime. These people were subject to horrible mistreatments by the government as second-class citizens, including:

- Not being able to travel more than 5 miles from their homes
- Unwarranted government searches of homes and seizures of possessions
- National curfew from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM

Much of this story has been forgotten throughout history but needs to be acknowledged. Members of various Italian-American communities around California are calling for government funded educational programs throughout American schools which educate the generations to come on these horrible acts of mistreatment. Currently, there are two bills attempting to be passed through Congress which support this cause, H.R. 1706 and H.R. 1707.

Additional Information

Additional Description:

There are millions of descendants of these mistreated people living in our country today. These people are direct ancestors, separated only by a few generations, of the people that underwent these mistreatments. It is up to us to help support these bills in Congress as we attempt to gain a pardon and educational support from the government to help aid this issue. If you want to get involved and have your voice be heard, contact Chet Campanella at clc21@sbcglobal.net or give him a call at 408-266-7825 to join in on the cause.