Why did federalist distrust aliens?

Answer 1

Federalists distrusted aliens, or immigrants, primarily due to fears that they might hold radical political beliefs that could threaten the stability of the young republic. They were particularly wary of the influence of revolutionary ideas from France, which could incite unrest and undermine the established government. Additionally, many Federalists believed that immigrants, who were often less politically informed, could be easily swayed by populist movements or foreign powers, potentially jeopardizing national security and unity. This distrust culminated in policies like the Alien and Sedition Acts, which aimed to restrict the rights of immigrants and limit dissent.