All Japanese-Americans, 17 and older, held in internment camps were asked loyalty questions. The questionnaire determined loyalty to the United States. If they answered "No" there would be some serious consequences. Many of those who did answer "No" were held at Tule Lake in California (refer to the map on the background page). Those who answered "Yes" to the loyalty questions below were eligible to leave the relocation centers (internment camps) if they found a sponsor.

No. 27. Are you willing to serve in the Armed forces of the United States on combat duty wherever ordered?

No. 28. Will you swear unqualified allegiance to the United States of America and faithfully defend the United States from any or all attack by foreign of domestic forces, and forswear any form of allegiance or obedience to the Japanese emperor, to any other foreign government, power or organization?

Questions:
*Define a sponsor.
*How do you think the Japanese-Americans would go about finding one?
*Since Asian Americans were not able to become American citizens by law, how do you think Japanese-Americans felt about denouncing their or their ancestors' country of origin?
*Why do you think answering "yes" to these questions was so important?