U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero ruled today that portions of the USA Patriot Act are unconstitutional. Judge Marrero ordered the FBI to stop issuing National Security Letters (NSLs). NSLs are FBI letters requesting private customer information from businesses without court approval and preventing those who receive NSLs from discussing them. The judge ruled that NSLs violated the First Amendment and the Constitution's separation of powers. The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of an unidentified Internet service provider that received an NSL. Read the ACLU's statement. The judge's opinion, decision and order is available from the Washington Post.
Find more information on the 2001 USA Patriot Act (H.R.3162) and the USA Patriot Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R.3199) from Thomas. Or if you are here on campus, search LexisNexis Congressional for additional reports and hearing.
Check out "Judge Rules Provisions of Patriot Act Unconstitutional" from the Washington Post and "Judge Strikes Down Part of Patriot Act" from FOX News.
Still want more information? Check out the library's guides on the War Against Terrorism.
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