The expatriation law of 1940 did not forcibly destroy anyones citizenship. Congress simply said that anyone who voluntarily votes in a foreign political election thereby chooses that national allegiance and forfeits his U.S. citizenship. Voting in a foreign political election has long been considered a voluntary renouncement of citizenshipby this country and others. "Expatriation" as used in the Courts decision. and my remarks. does not connote forcible imprisonment or deportation. A person may lose his rights and privileges as a citizen (or some of themas a felon may lose temporarily his right to vote) without losing certain rights which are inalienable to the individual. Citizenship is an especial status in a sovereign state and should be distinguished from its derivative rights and privilegessuch as voting and protectionsand its dutiessuch as allegiance. individual responsibility and public service. According to this Court. the Congress can regulate naturalizationthe granting of citizenshipbut not expatriationthe rescinding of citizenship. The criteria for granting citizenship no longer have validity for maintaining citizenship. Since this decision. the acquisition of U.S. citizenship results in the most inviolate and invidious form of tenure known.
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naturalizationthe deportation