Naturalization Act of 1798
Encyclopedia
The Naturalization Act, passed by Congress
on June 18, 1798, increased the amount of time necessary for immigrants to become naturalized citizens in the United States
from five to fourteen years. Although it was passed under the guise of protecting national security, most historians conclude it was really intended to decrease the number of voters who disagreed with the Federalist
political party
. At the time, most immigrants (namely Irish
and French
) supported Thomas Jefferson
and the Democratic-Republicans, the political opponents of the Federalists. This act was repealed in 1802.
A number of changes were made to the previous naturalization law:
The "notice time" refers to how long immigrants had to wait after declaring their intent to become a citizen. The "residence period" refers to how long they had to live in the United States
before they could become a citizen. The Naturalization Act is considered one of the Alien and Sedition Acts
passed contemporaneously in 1798. Like the Naturalization Acts of 1790 and 1795, this act also restricted citizenship to "free white persons".
Note the recognition of the distinction between native, citizen, denizen, or subject of any nation or state with in the act. This act is the first to record immigration, maintain records of residence, and make certificates of residence for white immigrant aliens, for the purpose of establishing the date of arrival for subsequent qualification for naturalization.
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
on June 18, 1798, increased the amount of time necessary for immigrants to become naturalized citizens in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from five to fourteen years. Although it was passed under the guise of protecting national security, most historians conclude it was really intended to decrease the number of voters who disagreed with the Federalist
Federalist
The term federalist describes several political beliefs around the world. Also, it may refer to the concept of federalism or the type of government called a federation...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
. At the time, most immigrants (namely Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) supported Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
and the Democratic-Republicans, the political opponents of the Federalists. This act was repealed in 1802.
A number of changes were made to the previous naturalization law:
| Act | Naturalization Act of 1790 Naturalization Act of 1790 The original United States Naturalization Law of March 26, 1790 provided the first rules to be followed by the United States in the granting of national citizenship. This law limited naturalization to immigrants who were "free white persons" of "good moral character". It thus left out indentured... |
Naturalization Act of 1795 Naturalization Act of 1795 The United States Naturalization Act of January 29, 1795 repealed and replaced the Naturalization Act of 1790. The 1795 Act differed from the 1790 Act by increasing the period of required residence from two to five years in the United States, by introducing the Declaration of Intention... |
Naturalization Act of 1798 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notice time | no notice required | 3 years | 5 years |
| Residence period | 2 years | 5 years | 14 years |
The "notice time" refers to how long immigrants had to wait after declaring their intent to become a citizen. The "residence period" refers to how long they had to live in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
before they could become a citizen. The Naturalization Act is considered one of the Alien and Sedition Acts
Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien and Sedition Acts were four bills passed in 1798 by the Federalists in the 5th United States Congress in the aftermath of the French Revolution's reign of terror and during an undeclared naval war with France, later known as the Quasi-War. They were signed into law by President John Adams...
passed contemporaneously in 1798. Like the Naturalization Acts of 1790 and 1795, this act also restricted citizenship to "free white persons".
Note the recognition of the distinction between native, citizen, denizen, or subject of any nation or state with in the act. This act is the first to record immigration, maintain records of residence, and make certificates of residence for white immigrant aliens, for the purpose of establishing the date of arrival for subsequent qualification for naturalization.
External links
- Statutes at Large, 5th Congress, 2nd Session: Naturalization Act