Why did the federalists mistrust aliens?

Federalists mistrusted aliens, or immigrants, primarily due to their concerns about national security and the potential for foreign influence. They believed that immigrants might hold loyalties to their home countries rather than to the United States, which could undermine the stability of the young nation. Additionally, many Federalists associated immigrants with radical political movements, particularly in the context of the French Revolution, leading them to view aliens as potential threats to the established order and governance.