Dear Reader,
Many people oppose the act on the grounds that it gives the government too much power and does not protect civil liberties. Passed in the wake of 9/11 to counter terrorism, it basically allows the government to do the following:
1. Search and seize Americans' papers and effects without probable cause to assist terror investigation.
2. Jail Americans indefinitely without a trial. Americans may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them. US citizens (labeled "unlawful combatants") have been held incommunicado and refused attorneys.
3.Monitor conversations between attorneys and clients in federal prisons and deny terror suspects the right to an attorney.
The act violates the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 9th amendments.