In the summer of 1798, Congress decided to pass the Alien and Sedition Acts, which were four bills that limited the rights of foreigners who lived in the United States. The first act declared that the president could deport, or hold captive, those living in the United States if the states were at war with the home country of the immigrant; this was known as the Alien Enemies Law. This takes away the person's right to freedom because they were judged on the state of their country. Much like the first act, the second act allowed the president to “expel” an immigrant, however Congress limited this expulsion to two years maximum; this act was beyond unfair to the people who could be deported because it did not give them the right to defend themselves