The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, in anticipation of an expected war with France, restricted the activities of foreign residents in the country (such as voting), allowed the government to deport foreigners deemed dangerous, limited freedom of speech and of the press and allowed the President to imprison whoever openly opposed to their measures.
Many interpret these acts to be a violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution because they limited the freedom of expression and press guaranteed under this amendment, as an attempt to silence opposition to the government's actions.
