About Us
The German American Internee Coalition (“GAIC”) was formed in 2005 by and for German American and Latin American citizens and legal residents who were interned by the United States during World War II. We are former internees, or their families and friends. We come from all walks of life and from countries around the world. We would like you to know our story. GAIC is a nonprofit corporation registered with the New Hampshire Department of Charitable Trusts.
Our Mission Statement & Goals
GAIC is dedicated to making public the little known United States World War II policies that led to internment, repatriation and exchange of civilians of German ethnicity, both in the United States and Latin America.
- We will educate the general public about the U.S. government’s detention and internment of over 11,000 German American and Latin American citizens and residents during World War II.
- We will reach out to former internees, their families and supporters. We will gather their stories, share information, and support their efforts to make their stories known.
- We will seek full U.S. government review and acknowledgment of the civil rights violations endured by the German American and Latin American communities.
- We will work collaboratively with other internee groups who have similar purposes. As we work toward these goals, we also hope that our efforts result in better protection of the civil liberties of future vulnerable ethnic groups.
In February 2017 we became concerned by the then President and his administration’s actions regarding immigrants. Our concerns have deepened. On March 15, 2025, President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, stating that an “invasion” by a Venezuelan gang made it necessary. This allowed the administration to treat some immigrants as alien enemies, stripping them of their rights, rounding them up and deporting them to El Salvador. The Alien Enemies Act, designed for wartime use against foreign adversaries, has no place in modern immigration policy. It is time for it’s repeal. Read our statement of condemnation.
What’s New?
San Mateo Enemy Alien Conference and Drama Night
April 28, 2007 Successful San Mateo Enemy Alien Conference and Drama Night “I intend to take the teachers syllabus and promote its contents.” “Extend the Conference to other cities, to educate ALL.” “The program told a story that hasn’t been told. Excellent. Very...
San Mateo Enemy Alien Conference and Drama Night Announced
April 2007 HIDDEN STORIES OF WORLD WAR II: A Conference on Enemy Alien Restrictions and Internment and FREEDOM LOST: Three One Act Plays on Enemy Aliens in World War II In 2001, a unique collaboration among the Japanese, German, and Italian communities produced the...
Vanished Tours Begin | Traveling Exhibit Tells Unknown Story of German-American Civilian Internment in the United States during World War II
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Fall 2006 Contact person: Eric Brandt at 651.292.8700 or . Traveling Exhibit Tells Unknown Story of German-American Civilian Internment in the United States during World War II Some disappeared under the cover of night,...
Manzanar National Historic Site will host the “Enemy Alien Files, Hidden Stories of World War II”
Manzanar National Historic Site News Release 661 N. Edwards Street Independence, CA 93526 For Immediate Release: May 20, 2006 Contact: Richard Potashin Phone: 760 878-2194 ext. 2712 From June 10 to August 25, 2006, Manzanar National Historic Site will host the "Enemy...
Ft. Meade guard tower. Image from sketch by German internee Paul Lameyer, courtesy of his grandson, Randy Houser.
History
