Associate Level Material

Appendix B The USA PATRIOT ACT

Provisions Table
Use the table below to organize information about the USA PATRIOT ACT. From the Electronic Reserve Reading article Update: USA Patriot Act, identify and classify characteristics of PATRIOT ACT provisions. Describe how each provision either poses potential risks to civil liberties, aids the War on Terror, or possibly both. While completing the table, consider what each provision means to you on a personal level. For example, Section 218 makes it easier for federal agents to open a criminal case on you or other citizens, should there be significant purpose to do so; yet, the same provision makes it easier for federal agents to gather information on a terrorist, and possibly prevent that terrorist from committing future crimes. Provision Section 218 Risks to Civil Liberties Allows agents to obtain FISA warrants, requiring less evidence of wrongdoing, which can be subject to abuse in domestic criminal cases. Only a significant investigative purpose is required to obtain a FISA warrant. Increases agents of the FBI under FISA . Before the FBI might force the disclosure of specific documents if it had certain and ariculable details giving reason to think that the individual to whom the documents relate is an overseas power after that provision the FBI only needs to establish in a FISA request that the documents related are wanted for an official investigation consistent with the aims of the section of the Patriot Act Allows agents to get any points for drug traders, homes, and cars without notice. Allow agents to not show possible reason before getting information from a client. Basically they can search anyone even if they are not a suspect of crime. A gag order can also be enforced on people of interest, that makes if very difficult to appeal to the legal courts. Our text states that Section 206 modernizes FISA wiretap authority and gets if closer in accordance with the wiretap laws and regulations. But does not include the place of focus Aids the War on Terror This provision makes it easier for agents to open a criminal case on terrorists, possibly preventing that terrorist from committing future crimes. Reduces barriers between intelligence work and criminal investigations This provisions allows investigators to have full access to libraries, bookstores, rental cars and money other things and it stops the person receiving this kind of order from revealing the request for records.

Section 215

Section 213 Section 505

This provisions basically allows for background checks. Allows agents to not use any kind of multimedia for anti terrorism actions, like credit reports, phone calls, emails, and financial reports.

Section 206

Allows agents to check global spies and terrorists much easier. By changing cell phone numbers, accounts or locations the Court can give permission to someone else to do
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Section 802

before it is known. Determines a recent crime of domestic terrorism. Allows agents to deport immigrants.

Section 411

this kind of monitoring. According to our text the Tree Hugging Terrorists, allows agents to do what it takes to protect against domestic terrorism against the nation. Basically it terrorist do anything that give the government reason to deport they can and will..

Opinion: Scope of American Law Enforcement

Write an opinion of at least 200 words describing how the scope of American law enforcement is changing as a result of the PATRIOT ACT, and if you feel that changes are justified by the fight against terrorism:

Let me put it like this, if you want to kill a snake you cut its head off, and in order to get rid of terrorism you have to take out the top dogs. The way that the U.S. deals with terrorism is not justified. By taking over a country by basically just bullying it or showing off what kind of muscle they have is not the way to fight terrorism. If there is any kind of result it is that more terrorist will be formed. The thing that comes to mind is what our American military did to basically get payback for 9/11. This sounded like a great idea but in reality America will get more enemies for this kind of tactic and instead of being a safer place to live might become more dangerous. The bottom line is that for every action there is an equal reaction. In my opinion if the Patriot Act would have been in full effect we would not have had to experience 9/11. The Patriot Act is meant to help people and not be afraid to walk around where they live. The question is this, would you give up any of your rights as an American to make sure your family is safe and to give you that feeling of being able to protect your family? With that said I would and the changes of the Patriot Act are justified.

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