What was a primary goal of the Alien and Sedition Acts enacted in 1798?

The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 were primarily aimed at limiting the political power of recent immigrants, particularly those who were perceived as supporters of the opposition party, the Democratic-Republicans. At that time, many immigrants were aligning themselves with this party, which was critical of the Federalists in power. The legislation included provisions to deport non-citizens who were deemed dangerous and made it more difficult for immigrants to become citizens. This was a strategic move by the Federalists, as they sought to retain their political dominance by reducing the influence of a growing immigrant population that they feared would vote against them. Therefore, the focus was squarely on controlling the political landscape by targeting recent immigrants and limiting their ability to participate in the democratic process, making the correct answer about limiting their political power.