How memories of Japanese American imprisonment during WWII guided the US response to 9/11

In the wake of 9/11, some called for rounding up whole groups of people viewed as potential threats to the nation. But Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta knew the U.S. had done that before.

By: Susan H. Kamei, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: August 8, 2026

Words: 1,302

Last Updated: 1 week, 3 days ago

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By Susan H. Kamei, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

As soon as Islamic extremists were identified as having carried out four deadly, coordinated attacks on U.S. soil in the early morning of Sept. 11, 2001, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta started hearing calls from the public to ban Arab Americans and Muslims from all flights – and even to round them up and detain them.

In the chaotic hours and …

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