Domestic Surveillance

Today, the United States of America lives in constant fear of another domestic terrorist attack. Since the devastating attacks on September 11, 2001, laws, such as the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) have been amended multiple times, all in an attempt to keep the country and its citizens safe from another domestic attack. The public scrutinizes the aforementioned laws, even though the laws are implemented to keep the citizens of the United States safe. Most feel as if domestic surveillance is an infringement on their privacy and their Fourth Amendment rights. With increased …show more content…
Const. amend. IV.). In his book, Christopher Slobogin argues that the term, “searches”, in the Fourth Amendment, has never been clarified. Slobogin also argues that the failure to clarify the term has left it for interpretation, allowing agencies to find loopholes to conduct domestic surveillance. As a country, many arguments often lead back to the Constitution. The people of the United States must remember that the constitution was signed in 1787, meaning the terminology is outdated. There was no electronic surveillance during those times, so it could be argued that the entire constitution is subjective and open for interpretation. But, one thing the public must realize is that although the Constitution may present some outdated guidelines, they are just that, guidelines. There have been many laws and amendments enacted based on the necessities of the country in that particular moment. The overall intention of the Fourth Amendment is to ensure the safety of the citizens and to require justification for infringement of privacy. The reason for domestic surveillance, as it stands, is to protect the citizens of the United States from domestic and foreign terrorism. The disconnect between the Government and the people appears to lie somewhere between necessity and luxury. The people of the United States want privacy, but the country needs security

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