Why did Congress passed the alien and sedition acts of 1798?

Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 primarily amid fears of foreign influence and internal dissent during a time of potential war with France. The laws aimed to strengthen national security by allowing the government to deport non-citizens deemed dangerous and to criminalize criticism of the government, which was seen as a threat to national unity. These acts were controversial and sparked significant debate about civil liberties and the limits of government power, ultimately contributing to the decline of the Federalist Party.