The Usa Patriot Act

The USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56) is federal legislation in the United States. Passed after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Act was formed in response to the terrorist attacks against the U.S., and dramatically expands the authority of U.S law enforcement for the stated purpose of fighting terrorist acts in the United States and abroad. It is also used to detect and prosecute other alleged potential crimes such as providing false information on terrorism. This 342 page USA PATRIOT Act was passed on October 26, 2001, with little debate by Members of Congress. It was renewed on March 2, 2006 with a vote of 89-11 in the Senate and on March 7 280-138 in the House. The renewal was signed into law by President Gorge W Bush on March 9, 2006.

The USA PATRIOT ACT:
Expand terrorism laws to include "domestic terrorism" which could subject political organizations to surveillance, wiretapping, harassment, and criminal action for political advocacy.
Expands the ability of law enforcement to conduct secret searches, gives them wide powers of phone and Internet surveillance, and access to highly personal medical, financial, mental health, and student records with minimal judicial oversight.
Allows FBI Agents to investigate American citizens for criminal matters without probable cause of crime if they say it is for "intelligence purposes.'
Permits non-citizens to be jailed based on more suspision and to be denied re-admission to the US for engaging in free speech. Suspect convicted of no crime may be detained indefinitely in six month increments without meaningful judicial review.

What rights are being threatened?
First Amendment – freedom of religion, speech, assembly, and the press.
Fourth Amendment – Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Fifth Amendment – No person to be deprived of life, liberty or properly without due process of law.
Sixth Amendment – Right to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury, right to be informed of the facts of... [continues]

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