The Patriot Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush in October 2001 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It aims to broaden surveillance powers of law enforcement to monitor communications like phone calls, texts, and online activity to prevent terrorism but has faced criticism for infringing on civil liberties without clear connections to national security investigations. The act remains a controversial issue with debates on whether its provisions are constitutional or go too far in diminishing privacy and rights.

1. THE PATRIOT ACT
By: Awn Abrar

2. KEY INFORMATION
• Act signed by President George W. Bush
• Passed on 10/26/2001
• Response to terror attack on 9/11/2001
• Allows law enforcement to broaden surveillance
• Phone calls, texts, computers, credit cards
• Prevents money laundering to finance terrorism

3. • Increased border security
• More security at airports (TSA)
• Enhancing domestic security against terrorism
• Protecting the border – increased border patrol

5. INTERVIEWS

7. ARTICLE
• “If the Patriot Act were focused on investigating potential
terrorists, rather than spying on innocent Americans,
then we would still need it”
• “widespread and serious abuse of authority by the F.B.I.
under the Patriot Act”
• Claims it gives too much power to authorities
• Cases with no clear connection to terrorism
“Too Much Power” by Jeffrey
Rosen

8. FOLLOW-UP
• Unconstitutional – 2004 documentary
• Civil liberties of American citizens and immigrants have
been rolled back
• Judge Napolitano – Why the Patriot Act is
unconstitutional.
• Ron Paul vs. Gingrich – Patriot Act Debate where Ron
Paul calls the Patriot Act “unpatriotic”

9. QUESTIONS
• What do you think about the Patriot Act?
• Do you think it keeps you safe or does it diminish your
rights?
• Should it be outlawed?
• Do you fear the government investigating you without a
warrant?

10. REFERENCE
• Grabianowski, Ed. "How the Patriot Act Works." Ho wStuffWo rks .
N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2013.
• "The Patriot Act and US Immigration."
USim m ig ratio nsuppo rt. o rg . N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2013.
• Rosen, Jeffrey. "Too Much Power." NYTim e s. co m . N.p., 8 Sept.
2011. Web. 10 May 2013.
• "What Is the USA Patriot Act." Justive . g o v. N.p., n.d. Web. 10
May 2013.
• "Reform the Patriot Act." Am e rican CivilLibe rtie s Unio n. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 10 May 2013.