3. Population Affected
The internment affected approximately 120,000 individuals, the majority of whom were Japanese Americans. Of these, about two-thirds were U.S. citizens by birth, while the remaining third were Japanese nationals who were barred from naturalization. The internment targeted people living primarily along the West Coast, uprooting entire communities and disrupting their lives. Families were forced to leave their homes, businesses, and possessions, often with little more than what they could carry. The impact on these individuals and their communities was profound and long-lasting.
