What did the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 primarily do?

The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 were primarily designed to strengthen national security amid fears of war with France, but they had significant implications for immigration and free speech as well. One of the crucial components of these Acts was aimed at making it more difficult for immigrants to gain U.S. citizenship. Specifically, the Acts raised the residency requirement from five to fourteen years for immigrants seeking naturalization, which significantly impeded their ability to become citizens.

This legislation reflected the distrust that existed at the time regarding immigrants and their potential influence on American politics, particularly those from countries with adverse relations to the U.S. It also allowed the government to detain or deport non-citizens deemed dangerous, which further upheld the idea that the government could limit immigration based on security concerns.

The other options deal with different subjects unrelated to the primary functions of the Alien and Sedition Acts, illustrating how these acts shaped the early legal landscape surrounding citizenship and federal power in the United States.