Who were the aliens referred to in the alien and sedition acts?

Answer 1

The alien and sedition acts were the four controversial laws passed by Federalists in Congress. They argued that these laws were needed to protect the country from troublemakers like Citizen Genet. In fact, the real purpose of these acts was to make life difficult for the Federalists' rivals, the Republicans.

Added: When used in an Immigration and citizenship context the term "alien" refers to any non-nativeborn foreigner.

Answer 2

The term "aliens" in the Alien and Sedition Acts referred to non-citizens, particularly those from countries deemed to be a threat to national security. These acts were a series of laws passed by the United States Congress in 1798 under President John Adams during a period of heightened tensions with France. The laws targeted immigrants from France and other foreign countries, allowing the government greater power to deport or imprison them if they were suspected of subversive activities.