Reactions Reed Amendment (immigration)

senator daniel moynihan (d-ny) stated reed amendment not reflect on free society .

in aftermath of iirira s passage, reed s fellow democrat daniel patrick moynihan made speech on senate floor denouncing reed amendment in harsh terms, saying: wording of statute embarrassing. how can alien renounce u.s. citizenship? in capacity said alien officially? 1 assumes court of law find language incoherent , unenforceable ... way legislate @ 5 o clock in morning 4 days before adjournment. moynihan went on state inappropriate use visa restrictions enforce tax law, called provision not reflect on free society , , advocated alternative plan of modifying expatriation tax tax accrued capital gains instead.

among various academics , practitioners criticisms of law, renee s. liu describes inappropriate response problem sought address, while michelle leigh carter argues may unconstitutionally infringe on fundamental right expatriate . temple university law professor peter spiro suggested conflicts expatriation act of 1868, guarantees in universal declaration of human rights , international covenant on civil , political rights people have right leave country , change nationality.