The law’s roots lie in an undeclared sea conflict between a young American nation and France. President John Adams signed the Alien Enemies Act in July 1798 as the United States came to the brink of war with France.

In 1798, with the U.S. preparing for what it believed would be a war with France, Congress passed a series of laws that increased the federal government’s reach. The Alien Enemies Act was created to give the president wide powers to imprison and deport noncitizens in time of war.