Korematsu v. US (1944)
Executive order 9066 was issued during World War II, making it a crime for people of Asian ancestry (even non-Japanese) to live in certain west-coast areas. Fred Korematsu was one Japanese-American who ignored the ban, and continued living in San Leandro, California. Upon his arrest, he challenged the constitutionality of the various military edicts as well as executive order 9066, on the grounds that the executive branch had overstepped its authority. The court, however, ruled that despite the questionable legality of the measure, the need to safeguard the nation's war effort was more important than the rights of Korematsu. In doing so, the court set a precedent for broad executive powers during times of conflict and national concern.
Executive order 9066 was issued during World War II, making it a crime for people of Asian ancestry (even non-Japanese) to live in certain west-coast areas. Fred Korematsu was one Japanese-American who ignored the ban, and continued living in San Leandro, California. Upon his arrest, he challenged the constitutionality of the various military edicts as well as executive order 9066, on the grounds that the executive branch had overstepped its authority. The court, however, ruled that despite the questionable legality of the measure, the need to safeguard the nation's war effort was more important than the rights of Korematsu. In doing so, the court set a precedent for broad executive powers during times of conflict and national concern.