Preview

Pros/Cons Patriot Act

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
806 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Pros/Cons Patriot Act
Pros and Cons of Patriot Act The House of Representatives passed the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 on October 24, 2001. This is also known as the USA Patriot Act. The Patriot Act was designed to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world and to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools (USA Patriot Act, 2001). The events of September 11, 2001 led to the near unanimous support for the Patriot Act. In this paper, our learning team will discuss the many pros and cons of the Patriot Act of 2001. We will begin by discussing the positive aspects of the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act amended United States Code section 2703 title 18 that dealt with electronic surveillance subpoenas thereby enhancing law enforcement 's surveillance capabilities. The Patriot Act widened the scope for subpoenas for records of electronic communication. It added local and long distance telephone connection records or records of session times and durations. It also changed wording to telephone or instrument number, including network addresses. The final change to this section was making the means and source of payment for such services available. Another positive aspect of the Patriot Act is the "Sunset Clause". This may be the most important pro of the Patriot Act. Section 224 states that most of the amendments made by the Patriot Act end on December 31, 2005. This will allow government officials to review its effectiveness and decide on the value of the amended US Patriot Act. The final pro of the Patriot Act we will discuss is the increased restrictions on immigration. Alison Bradley (2002) said the Patriot Act "permits the indefinite suspension of immigrants on minor visa violations" (p. 1). However, the review process for detentions must be based on reasonable grounds that the alien will commit an act of terror. The aliens may be detained for


References: Bradley, A. (2002). Extremism in the Defense of Liberty?: The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the Significance of the USA PATRIOT Act. Tulane Law Review, 465. Minow, M. (2002). The USA PATRIOT Act and Patron Privacy on Library Internet Terminals. Retrieved April 12, 2004, from http://www.llrx.net/usapatriotact.htm
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Pros And Cons Of The Patriot Act
    • 457 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Pros And Cons Of The Patriot Act

    The USA PATRIOT Act was passed by Congress as a response to the terrorist attack of September 11. On October 26, 2001 The USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law No. 107-56) was signed into law by President George W. Bush. The USA PATRIOT Act "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism” this law enabled law enforcement personnel new abilities to search, seize, detain, or eavesdrop in their pursuit of possible terrorists as it states in our text. For the most part public response for The Patriot Act has been very close to even a Feb 2011 survey from the Pew Research center states “42% say the Patriot Act is a necessary tool that helps the government find terrorists, while somewhat fewer (34%) say the Patriot Act goes too far and poses a threat to civil liberties.” As compared to their Jan 2006 survey that said, “The public divided evenly over the Patriot Act, with 39% saying it is a necessary tool and 38% saying it goes too far.” When one thinks of the Pros of the Patriot Act he has to include the use of surveillance.…

    • 457 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Impact of the Usa Patriot Act on Local Law Enforcement
    • 1282 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Impact of the Usa Patriot Act on Local Law Enforcement

    Developed “to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and for other purposes” the USA Patriot Act, bears the formal name ‘‘Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act, 2001, p. 1). Heretofore referred to as the “Patriot Act” the USA Patriot Act was signed into law within 6 weeks from initial draft to final approval supporting the enforcement of laws for the ultimate protection of the United States and her citizens by granting access to persons and information with liberal criminal and civil procedure exceptions. The Patriot Act immediately granted broad-based interrogation, surveillance and isolation abilities to law enforcement when investigating “crimes against terror” (US Government, 2011)…

    • 1282 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Security vs. Liberty
    • 1116 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Security vs. Liberty

    In the wake of September 11th, the country was in turmoil. Fear and confusion were rampant; direction was required. President George Bush, in a famous address, acknowledged the severity of the attacks, and called for a newly invigorated sense of nationalism. His plan for preventing future attacks called for the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, and expanded powers to intelligence agencies (Bush). During this time, one of the most provocative bills was allowed to pass, under the guise of a terrorist seeking bill. The Patriot Act was indeed effective in increasing the power allotted to surveillance agencies, but many feel at too high of a cost. Many have asked the question… "is the cure worse than the disease?" In order to appropriately analyze the Patriot Act, it is important to look at its exact stipulations, and how it has been used (misused) at the time of its passage and now.…

    • 1116 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: Analysis, Pros and Cons
    • 1756 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: Analysis, Pros and Cons

    The most significant amendment to the bill was The Patriotic Act of 2001 after the country faced the biggest attack from a foreign terrorist group. The United States Department of Justice announced that it would seek legislation that would give powers to state authorities to protect the homeland from such activities and attacks in the future. The proposed legislation was to give federal authorities the ability to monitor internet use, intercept emails and phone calls as well as wiretapping conversion between citizens and non citizens. The Act would also permit the detention of non citizens who are deemed to be dangerous to the home land (Center for American Progress 2005). This Act is by far one of the most controversial legislation in the history of the Congress. This paper looks to analyze the provisions of the Act as well as the pro and cons that came along.…

    • 1756 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay on The Department of Homeland security
    • 783 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Essay on The Department of Homeland security

    The U.S. PATRIOT Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) is the most important law passed after the 9/11 attack. It is so essential because of the fact that it improves inter-agency cooperation for the collection of intelligence andit’s sharing. This barrier being broken down has contributed to a very large extent the protection of the US. Additionally, it appreciates the fact that the advent of technologyensures that our laws are updated and has encouraged better prosecution of suspected terrorists. Lastly, it has strengthened the existing terrorism legislations, reflecting some specific situations that did not exactly exist previously. These are the things that make the PATRIOT Act a great addition to law enforcement.…

    • 783 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Compare And Contrast Patriot Act And Nsc-68
    • 755 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Compare And Contrast Patriot Act And Nsc-68

    The two documents of NSC 68 (National Security Council Report) and Patriot Act are similar, but little bit difference between the two documents. Both of the documents have the same protection and the cost of protection. The National Security Council Report 68 (NSC-68) was a secret report policy by the United States presented by President Harry Truman. It was one of the most important statements of American policy that launched the Cold War 1950. The report began by The Soviet used the atomic bomb. This meant the Soviet Union stole the atomic bomb project from the United States without notice in which The United States was facing a completely changed world.…

    • 755 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    The Patriot Act
    • 1398 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Patriot Act

    On September 11, 2001, 2,996 innocent people lost their lives and left more than 6,000 others seriously wounded. This horrendous act of terrorism waged against the United States, on American soil, forever changed the country. After the initial disbelief and shock had subsided, the anger rose and turned into rage. American citizens were united and demanded action be taken to prevent such an event from ever occurring again. Hence, the Patriot Act and the Homeland Security Act enactment was to protect the country against terrorism, activities within the United States that involve acts dangerous to human life.…

    • 1398 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    9 11
    • 1360 Words
    • 4 Pages

    9 11

    One of the major changes that were caused by the attack of 9/11 was the introduction to the Patriot Act. “The USA PATRIOT Act is an Act of Congress that was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001. The title of the act is a ten-letter acronym (USA PATRIOT) that stands for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001The Patriot Act gives the U.S. power to deter and punish terrorist acts in the U.S. and around the world.”2 This law was passed just forty-six days after the attacks on the twin towers and the pentagon occurred. The patriot act dramatically reduced restrictions on law enforcement agencies' ability to search telephone, e-mails, medical, financial, and other records; eased restrictions on foreign intelligence gathering within the United States. Basically there was nothing off limits to government agencies such as the F.B.I., they were able to obtain any documents they felt necessary to fight terrorism. “It also expanded the Secretary of the…

    • 1360 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Patriot Act Pros And Cons
    • 1553 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Patriot Act Pros And Cons

    No, in any case it's a disturbing and terrible method for completing an awful and noxious act against pure individuals. One local may punch another, and not present a show of war. War is generally acknowledged to be a declared threats between two nations, as when the United States reported the war against the Axis powers Japan, Germany and Italy on December 8, 1941.…

    • 1553 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Patriot Act Of The 21st Century Essay
    • 1486 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Patriot Act Of The 21st Century Essay

    In response to September 11, the United States reshaped its anti-terrorist strategies to prevent future attacks by targeting terrorists, foreign and domestic, known and potential. October 26, 2001 the USA Patriot Act was signed into law, it facilitates the prosecution of terrorists, by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and…

    • 1486 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Patriot Act Essay
    • 461 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Patriot Act Essay

    The USA PATRIOT Act stands for “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism." This act was enacted 45 days after more than 3,000 American lives were lost at the state of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The intended purpose of the act is to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and for other purposes. There are four primary initiatives of the act in improving our nation’s counterterrorism efforts: It allows investigators to use the tools available to investigate organized crime and drug trafficking; facilitates information sharing and cooperation between government agencies so they can detect patterns of terrorist activities; update the law compatible to new technologies and new threats; and raise penalties…

    • 461 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Usa Patriot Act: Title Ii – Privacy on the Line
    • 1280 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Usa Patriot Act: Title Ii – Privacy on the Line

    References: Standler, Ronald B. (2007-2008). Brief History of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, p.4 Retrieved from http://www.rbs0.com/patriot.pdf…

    • 1280 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Usa Patriot Act Of 2001
    • 293 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Usa Patriot Act Of 2001

    The USA Patriot Act of 2001 is legislation that was sponsored by President Bush and his administration following September 11th. It is to allow increased responsibilities for the criminal justice system and other agencies. “The USA Patriot Act has ten sections or titles outlining new powers for government operations.” (White 2014 p. 393) “Title II, designed to improve surveillance. Grands authority to federal law enforcement agencies to intercept communications about terrorism, allows searches of computers, allows intelligence agencies to share information with criminal justice agencies, explains procedures for warrants, creates new definitions of intelligence, allows for roving wiretaps, and provides for expanding intelligence gathering.”…

    • 293 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Us Patriot Act
    • 7318 Words
    • 30 Pages

    Us Patriot Act

    The Patriot Act was enacted in October 2001 shortly after attacks from terrorists on the United States on September 11, 2001. The act gives Federal officials and state agencies greater authority and tools to investigate and track suspected terrorists with the goal of bringing them to trial.…

    • 7318 Words
    • 30 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Executive Summary: The USA Patriot Act
    • 759 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Executive Summary: The USA Patriot Act

    “The Patriot Act (the full name is the USA Patriot Act, or Uniting and Strengthening America Act by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001" (Bush2001) was put in place by the U.S. Congress in response to September 11. The Patriot Act was put into action on October 26, 2001, at the request of President George Bush. The Justice Department now has abilities in terms of domestic as well as international tailing of not only American citizens but anyone within its jurisdiction due to the act. The Patriot Act, allows a wide range of new powers to law enforcement and intelligence gathering authorities. “The Constitution defines the underlying…

    • 759 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More