
Takao Ozawa (1875-1936)
b. Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Takao Ozawa v. United States (1922)
Do You Know? Takao Ozawa was nineteen years old when he immigrated to San Francisco, California.
What: Ozawa was denied to become a naturalized American citizen because he was not considered "white."
Decision: The Supreme Court voted unanimously to deny Ozawa citizenship.
Today: All individuals have the opportunity to become naturalized citizens regardless of ethnicity.
(Portrait by Silvia Garcia Hernandez, SFSU 2019)