The USA PATRIOT (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001) Act was enacted by Congress in 2001 in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and “vastly expanded the government's authority to spy on its own citizens, while simultaneously reducing checks and balances … and the ability to challenge government searches in court”, (ACLU, 2010). The act permits investigators to conduct searches, authorizes nationwide search warrants for terrorism (including electronic surveillance), and delay notification to suspects if it could jeopardize the investigation (Fox News, 2003). The PATRIOT Act and various portions of its provisions were reauthorized in 2005, 2006, 2010, and 2011.
Provisions
The PATRIOT Act allows the government’s surveillance powers to be increased in four aspects: searching records held by third parties; secretly searching private property without notice to the owner; expanded an exception to the Fourth Amendment that were originally for foreign intelligence; and expanded another exception to the Fourth Amendment regarding information about the origin and destination of communication, (ACLU, 2010). Title I creates a special fund for counter-terrorist activities while increasing funds available to the FBI’s Terrorist …show more content…
There are portions that allow the removal of non-citizens and their family members if they are part of any organization that endorses terrorist activities, and further allows for indefinite detention of any foreign nationals. The definition of “terrorist activities” was also broadened to include aiding with dangerous items (more specifically non-firearms or explosives), aiding with material items, monetary support, transportation, funding, or even training, (US Congress,
Provisions
The PATRIOT Act allows the government’s surveillance powers to be increased in four aspects: searching records held by third parties; secretly searching private property without notice to the owner; expanded an exception to the Fourth Amendment that were originally for foreign intelligence; and expanded another exception to the Fourth Amendment regarding information about the origin and destination of communication, (ACLU, 2010). Title I creates a special fund for counter-terrorist activities while increasing funds available to the FBI’s Terrorist …show more content…
There are portions that allow the removal of non-citizens and their family members if they are part of any organization that endorses terrorist activities, and further allows for indefinite detention of any foreign nationals. The definition of “terrorist activities” was also broadened to include aiding with dangerous items (more specifically non-firearms or explosives), aiding with material items, monetary support, transportation, funding, or even training, (US Congress,