Short Answer 
Executive Order 9066, issued during World War II, allowed the military to intern Japanese Americans under the guise of national security, infringing on their constitutional rights. The order was revoked by President Ford in 1976, and the 1988 Civil Liberties Act recognized the injustices suffered by Japanese Americans, offering a formal apology and reparations.
Step 1: Understanding Executive Order 9066
Executive Order 9066, issued during World War II, authorized the military to remove individuals deemed a threat from specific areas designated as “military zones.” This order allowed for the exclusion and internment of Japanese aliens and Japanese Americans, even though it did not specify these groups explicitly. The government’s actions were based on the notion of national security, which had significant implications on civil liberties.
Step 2: Consequences of the Order
The implementation of Executive Order 9066 led to the forced relocation and internment of thousands of Japanese Americans, infringing upon their constitutional rights. This action was criticized for violating the Fifth Amendment, which protects individuals from being deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process. The order also suspended the writ of habeas corpus, further stripping away legal protections for those interned.
Step 3: Revocation and Acknowledgment of Injustice
On February 16, 1976, President Gerald Ford formally revoked Executive Order 9066, recognizing its damaging impact. In 1988, the U.S. Congress passed the Civil Liberties Act, which acknowledged the “grave injustice” suffered by Japanese Americans due to this order. This act served as a formal apology and aimed to provide reparations for the violations of rights experienced during this dark chapter in American history.