Ep. 29: When America Started Watching Its Own People - The Smith Act of 1940

In this episode of Signed Into Law, we explore the Smith Act of 1940, also known as the Alien Registration Act—a watershed moment when the U.S. government began systematically tracking non-citizens and criminalizing advocacy for the violent overthrow of the government. Passed on the eve of World War II, this controversial law required millions of immigrants to register and be fingerprinted, while also targeting political radicals and setting precedents that would shape Cold War prosecutions. Discover how national security concerns collided with civil liberties, and why this Depression-era law still echoes in today's debates about surveillance, free speech, and immigration.Subscribe to Signed Into Law to never miss an episode as we unpack the fascinating stories behind the laws that shaped America. New episodes explore the unexpected consequences, political battles, and human drama behind legislation that changed the nation.This episode includes AI-generated content.