THE ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS

In response to the threat of war with France, the Federalist-controlled U.S. Congress pased four laws known as the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798.

The laws lengthened the residency for naturalization to fourteen years and imposed a minimum five year advance notification for citizenship. The Acts also empowered the President to expel or deport aliens deemed a threat to public peace, and expel or imprison aliens whose country was at war with the United States.

There were fines and/or imprisonment for writing false or malicious criticisms of the Government of the United States, the President, or Congress. Many journalists were fined or imprisoned during this period.

The Acts were abolished during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, who granted full pardons to most of those incarcerated.

usatrivia.com - ask professor mark - October, 2000

From what I've read elsewhere, rape is a federal crime if it is forcible and/or drugs were used as in the "date-rape" types cases.

kat