Legal Definitions - internment

Definition: Internment is when the government detains people who are suspected of being disloyal to the government. This can include the confinement of a certain group of people during times of war or national emergency.

Example: During World War II, the United States government ordered the internment of Japanese Americans. This meant that they were forced to leave their homes and businesses and were sent to live in internment camps. This was done because the government suspected that Japanese Americans might be loyal to Japan and could pose a threat to national security.

Explanation: The example illustrates how internment involves the government detaining people who are suspected of being disloyal. In this case, Japanese Americans were detained because the government suspected that they might be loyal to Japan. This was a form of discrimination and violated the civil rights of Japanese Americans.