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The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 ( Public Law 107-56), known as the '''USA PATRIOT Act''' or simply the '''''Patriot Act''''', is an Act Of Congress which U.S. President George W. Bush signed into law on October 26 , 2001 . Passed with minimal debate only 43 days after the September 11, 2001 Attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City , the Act dramatically and many say Unconstitutional ly expanded the authority of U.S. law enforcement agencies for the stated purpose of fighting Terrorism in the United States and abroad. Among its provisions, the act increased the ability of law enforcement agencies to search telephone and e-mail communications and medical, financial, and other records; eased restrictions on foreign intelligence gathering within the United States; expanded the Secretary Of The Treasury’s authority to regulate financial transactions, particularly those involving foreign individuals and entities; and enhanced the discretion of law enforcement and immigration authorities in detaining and deporting Immigrants suspected of terrorism-related acts. The act also expanded the definition of terrorism to include " Domestic Terrorism ", thus enlarging the number of activities to which the Patriot Act’s expanded law enforcement powers can be applied. Department of Justice Web site Although the Act passed by wide margins in both houses of Congress , it has been criticized from its inception for weakening protections of Civil Liberties . In particular, opponents of the law have criticized its authorization of indefinite detentions of immigrants; "sneak and peek" searches through which law enforcement officers search a home or business without the owner’s or the occupant’s permission or knowledge; the expanded use of " National Security Letters ", which allow the FBI to search telephone, email, and financial records without a court order; and the expanded access of law enforcement agencies to government records, including library and financial records.Abramson, Larry. "The Patriot Act: Alleged Abuses of the Law." ''NPR.org'' . July 20, 2005. Retrieved April 9, 2007. Since its passage, several legal challenges have been brought against the act, and Federal courts have ruled at least one provision unconstitutional.Reardon, Marguerite and Declan McCullagh. "ACLU Challenges Patriot Act" . ''News.com'', November 2, 2005. Retrieved on April 9, 2007. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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