    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [June 12, 1998]
    [Page 948]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Compensation for Wrongful Internment of Latin Americans of
    Japanese Descent
    June 12, 1998

        I am pleased that the Department of Justice has reached a settlement
    that will compensate Latin Americans of Japanese ancestry for their
    wrongful internment during World War II. The United States Government
    forcibly brought these individuals to the United States from their homes
    in Latin America during the war and interned them with U.S. citizens and
    permanent residents of Japanese ancestry.
        Through the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, our Nation offered redress
    to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who suffered serious injustice.
    This settlement addresses the injustice endured by Japanese Latin
    Americans who were interned.
        Payments for this settlement will come from the fund established by
    the Civil Liberties Act. If the fund proves insufficient, I will work
    with the Congress to enact legislation appropriating the necessary
    resources to ensure that all eligible claimants can obtain the
    compensation provided by this settlement.