The Patriot Act

The Patriot Act

The Patriot Act is a bill that was passed in the wake of 9/11/01. Not even two months after the horrific event which we all know as 911, the bill was passed with great haste and secrecy. The bill was passed on October 26, 2001. The bill was passed to raise the security of the country. Sadly many speculate that most of the members in congress did not even read the 342 page bill. Within a matter of days the executive branch with its new powers began to initiate many new executive orders, policies, regulations and practices that many feel threaten our rights.

The bill has expanded terrorism laws to include domestic terrorism which subjects political organizations to be surveillance, wiretapping, harassment, and criminal charges for political advocacy. Many feel that this is an attack on the first amendment, which is freedom of religion, speech, assembly and freedom of the press.

The bill has also expanded the powers of law enforcement agencies(police, FBI, CIA, NSA). Law enforcement agents now have the ability to conduct secret searches, place telephone and internet surveillance, and can access personal medical, financial, and student records with minimal judicial oversight. Many feel that this is an attack on the fourth amendment which is freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.

The FBI agents because of the bill can now investigate American citizens for criminal matters without probable cause, as long as they say it is for intelligence purposes. They also can arrest non-citizens on mere suspicion alone. This goes against the fifth amendment, which states that no person is to be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. None citizens can also be denied readmission to the U.S for using their right of free speech. This goes against the first amendment which is stated in the second paragraph.

Suspects can also be detained indefinitely in six months increments without any real judicial review. This goes against the first, the fifth, both of which are stated in the paragraphs above. It also goes against the fourteenth, eighth and sixth amendment. The fourteenth amendment states that all persons (Citizens and non-citizens) within the US are entitled to due process and the equal protection of the laws. The eighth amendment states that no excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment shall be imposed. The sixth amendment states that everyone has the right to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury, right to be informed of the facts of the accusation, right to confront witnesses and have the assistance of counsel.

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