In preparation for war against the Republic of France, Federalist (nationalist) President John Adams signs the Naturalization Act of 1798, increasing the residency requirement for State sovereign Citizenship from five to 14 years.
NOTES:
- No restrictions were placed on immigration;
- Citizenship was limited to immigrants of European heritage.
[updated 8/1/2026]
Subsequent Events:
Authority:
Article I, Section 8 [Clause 4]
ccc-2point0.com/constitution-for-the-united-states
References:
“Chronology of Events, 1774-1804,” from The Debate on the Constitution, two volumes, Bernard Bailyn, ed., (New York: Library of America, 1992), 2:1082.
Calvin D. Linton, ed. The Bicentennial Almanac: 200 Years of America, 1776-1976, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 1975), 55.
Alien and Sedition Acts – Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_and_Sedition_Acts
List of United States immigration laws – Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_immigration_laws
Naturalization Act of 1798 – Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization_Act_of_1798
Current U.s. National Debt:
