What action did Congress take in 1988 regarding Korematsu survivors?

• A. They reaffirmed the relocation and provided no compensation.
• B. They apologized and agreed to pay $20,000 to each survivor.
• C. They declared the internment constitutional in perpetuity.
• D. They established a new commission to study relocation.

Answer: (B)

When a government recognizes it wronged a group and moves to make amends, the key idea is redress through formal apology and compensation. In 1988 Congress enacted the Civil Liberties Act, which formally apologized to Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II and provided monetary compensation to eligible survivors. The plan authorizes payments of $20,000 to each qualifying person, aiming to acknowledge the injustice and help make amends. This action stands in contrast to options that would have reaffirmed relocation, declared the internment constitutional, or created a new research commission in that year, none of which reflect the official apology and reparations carried out by the 1988 act.