The Alien Registration Act of 1940

The Alien Registration Act of 1940, also known as the Smith Act, required non-citizens (aliens) residing in the U.S. to register with the government and carry identity documents. It aimed to monitor non-citizens, especially during wartime. The act also criminalized advocating or assisting the overthrow of the government by force or violence. It was used to prosecute suspected subversives and critics of the government, notably during the Cold War, raising concerns over free speech. Overall, it aimed to track immigrant populations and maintain national security but faced criticism for potentially infringing on civil liberties.