During World War 2, the United States engaged in massive
anti-Japanese hysteria including the internment
of Japanese-Americans
and, at times, the internment in the United States of
Japanese from other countries. Some were allowed their
freedom, including Kenso Kuroda, a student at the University
of Washington, but under substantial restrictions. While
traveling to the University of Minnesota, he was held
in Nampa, Idaho, due to local officials who questioned
his permits. Leroy
HiltonWalker
was a Methodist minister in the area who was asked to
intervene. Although Leroy's role was minimal, the exchange
is quite illustrative of the time.
EAR4 44=AU NAMPA IDA 7 550A
DEAN OF MEN DEAN NEWHOUSE=
=U OF WASH=
HELD UP IN NAMPA IDAHO ON ACCOUNT OF TRAVELING
PERMIT CAN
YOU GET IT STRAIGHTENED OUT WITH FBI HEARING TODAY
10 OCLOCK
INQUIRED IN STPAUL AND YOU INQUIRED IN SEATTLE
BUT THEY DEMAND
TRAVELING PERMIT PLEASE DO ALL YOU CAN AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE.
KENSO KURODA.===
KURODA FBI 10
APRIL 7, 1942
MINISTER FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
NAMPA IDAHO
KENZO KURODA UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON JAPANESE
STUDENT TRAVELING TO UNIVERSITY OF
MINNESOTA WIRED ME THIS MORNING HE IS BEING HELD
IN NAMPA BECAUSE HE DID NOT HAVE
TRAVELING PERMIT UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FBI AND
ARMY HEADQUARTERS ASSURE ME NO
TRAVELING PERMIT NECESSARY IN IDAHO I DO NOT KNOW
WHAT AUTHORITIES ARE HOLDING KURODA AND
APPEAL TO YOU TO INVESTIGATE SUGGEST CONTACTING
LOCAL FBI OR UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FOR
AUTHENTIC INFORMATION IF KURODA IS STILL BEING
HELD IF HELP NEEDED HERE WIRE COLLECT IF NOT
PLEASE WRITE THANK YOU FOR A BIG FAVOR TO A DESERVING
AMERICAN CITIZEN
DEAN NEWHOUSE
DEAN OF MEN
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
Nampa, Idaho
319 9th Ave. S.
April 9, 1942
Dean Newhouse
University of Washington
Dear Dr. Newhouse:
In regard to the case of Kenzo Kuroda; upon receipt
of your telegram I at once began calling both
locally
and long distance and by the time I had run the
thing
down, the young man had been released and allowed
to
proceed unmolested.
We wish to commend your spirit and your faithfulness
in following up your students and in trying to
see
that they get a "square deal".
Sincerely,
Leroy H. Walker, Pastor
April 13, 1942
Mr. Leroy H. Walker, Pastor
First Methodist Church
Nampa, Idaho
Dear Mr. Walker:
Thank you so much for helping a stranger out.
May we return the commendation of the spirit and
faithfulness required to be a friend in need as
you were.
and, at times, the internment in the United States of
Japanese from other countries. Some were allowed their
freedom, including Kenso Kuroda, a student at the University
of Washington, but under substantial restrictions. While
traveling to the University of Minnesota, he was held
in Nampa, Idaho, due to local officials who questioned
his permits. 
