Once Japanese Americans were placed in internment camps, they were not allowed to leave without special permission. If they did leave, they needed to carry travel permits and tags.

Merced Assembly Center I.D. tag issued to the volunteer fire department, May 1942


I.D. tag worn on ride to assembly center, May 1942.

Wartime civilian control agency hand luggage tag, May 1942

Mess-hall tag worn to meals. The number “480” identified the Fuchigami family. “F-2-13” was the family’s assigned block (F), barrack (2), and apartment (13), May 1942


Merced Assembly Center employee I.D. button, May 1942

War Relocation Authority employee badge 10688, May 1942

Standards for A Life in Paperwork