A Message to Our Community: Standing United Amid Uncertainty

by Ellen Sato Faust, Executive Director

In recent weeks, executive orders from the current administration have created uncertainty, impacting public and private programs nationwide. Like many nonprofits, the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association (BIJAEMA) is closely monitoring these developments—particularly the temporary pause by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on programs supported by federal funds. The outcomes remain unclear, but our commitment to our mission remains steadfast.

Several national events have raised concerns about their potential impact on BIJAEMA:

  • In November 2024, the Japanese American Confinement Sites Consortium (JACSC) expressed concerns to the Biden administration regarding the Trump administration’s threat to use the Alien Enemies Act as a tool for enforcing immigration law. On January 17th, BIJAEMA endorsed the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, reintroduced by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI). This bill would repeal the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which last enabled the internment of over 31,000 noncitizens of Japanese, German, and Italian descent during WWII. The potential misuse of this law in peacetime is particularly alarming, and its repeal is crucial as anti-immigrant rhetoric escalates.
  • On January 27th, the White House paused all federal grants, including a directive for agencies to review programs for consistency with recent mandates—particularly the ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The Japanese American Confinement Sites (JACS) grant program was initially flagged by the OMB, although this pause has since been delayed by the courts. BIJAEMA, a JACS grant recipient, has not been notified that our grant is at risk, but we are monitoring the situation closely with our partners at JACSC and the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).
  • On January 30th, BIJAEMA was informed that our page on the National Park Service (NPS) website was removed, along with pages for the National Japanese American Memorial, Tuskegee Airmen, and the Stonewall Uprising. The removal of these sites made national headlines. This coincided with the administration’s efforts to remove content from government websites that conflicts with its policies. Fortunately, our webpage was restored three days later, with an unofficial explanation citing an “honest mistake.” While no official clarification was provided, we remain watchful.

In times like these, it is easy to let fear creep in. As someone wisely said, “The opposite of love is not hate; it is fear.” We see chaos and uncertainty being wielded to create fear, but we choose a different path.

At BIJAEMA, we will remain calm, yet vigilant. If our NPS page disappears again, you can always find us at bijaema.org. Should our JACS funding be interrupted, we will persevere as we did in the past, leaning on private support when necessary. In these moments, the generosity of our community becomes more critical than ever. If you are able, please consider making a donation to help ensure the Memorial’s mission. Contact us if you are interested in learning about the new BIJAEMA Endowment.

Most importantly, we are grateful for the unity in our community. Together, we will ensure that the message of ‘Let It Not Happen Again’ remains a powerful reminder—compelling us to reflect on past injustices and urging our leaders to make decisions that are grounded in honesty, constitutional integrity, and moral clarity. Bainbridge Island will always be a place where history’s lessons drive both understanding and meaningful action.

Thank you for standing with us.