http://www.aclu.org/natsec/feed.xml Visit ACLU.org to learn more and get involved. en-us 10 2009-01-09T02:16:41-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/racialjustice/racialprofiling/37641prs20081031.html?s_src=RSS WASHINGTON – A report in today’s New York Times revealed details of a 2004 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) anti-terrorism program that, despite government claims to the contrary, used racial profiling. More than 2,000 Muslim immigrants were investigated in the lead up to the 2004 elections, and many were interrogated right before the November election. Despite the investment of considerable resources, “Operation Front Line” produced minimal results. Most of those investigated were found to have done nothing wrong. http://www.aclu.org/racialjustice/racialprofiling/37641prs20081031.html 2008-10-31T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/natsec/gen/37400prs20081027.html?s_src=RSS WASHINGTON – In anticipation of the presidential election, the American Civil Liberties Union today released a set of detailed recommendations on steps that the new president should take to “clean house,” renew freedom, and restore the nation’s reputation. http://www.aclu.org/natsec/gen/37400prs20081027.html 2008-10-27T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/natsec/classified/37381prs20081024.html?s_src=RSS WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union calls on the Inspectors General of the Intelligence Agencies to respect the rule of law and make legally required domestic surveillance reports to Congress completely and publically available. http://www.aclu.org/natsec/classified/37381prs20081024.html 2008-10-24T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/privacy/gen/37088prs20081008.html?s_src=RSS http://www.aclu.org/privacy/gen/37088prs20081008.html 2008-10-08T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/37031prs20081003.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – New FBI guidelines governing investigations were released today after being signed by Attorney General Michael Mukasey. The American Civil Liberties Union quickly blasted the Department of Justice and FBI for ignoring calls for more stringent protections of Americans’ rights. The guidelines replace existing bureau guidelines for five types of investigations: general criminal, national security, foreign intelligence, civil disorders and demonstrations. The ACLU has been vocal in its disapproval of the overly broad guidelines, citing both the FBI’s and DOJ’s documented records of internal abuse. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/37031prs20081003.html 2008-10-03T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/natsec/spying/36900prs20080924.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – As a key House subcommittee met for a hearing entitled “A Report Card on Homeland Security Information Sharing,” the American Civil Liberties Union today urged subcommittee members to ask the witnesses tough questions to ensure information sharing benefits our security without endangering the rights of innocent Americans. The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment heard testimony from national and local security experts about efforts to increase information sharing among law enforcement, including the use of fusion centers. http://www.aclu.org/natsec/spying/36900prs20080924.html 2008-09-24T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36888prs20080923.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence will hear testimony today on proposed changes to the attorney general guidelines. The guidelines govern FBI investigations and were adopted in the mid-1970’s after it was discovered that the agency was engaged in widespread abuses and violations of constitutional rights – including politically-motivated spying on figures like Martin Luther King, Jr. FBI Director Robert Mueller also answered questions about the guidelines last week during hearings before both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The American Civil Liberties Union is asking the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to investigate whether the FBI violated previous guidelines before the new guidelines are put into place. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36888prs20080923.html 2008-09-23T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/natsec/spying/36890prs20080922.html?s_src=RSS PORTLAND - The Maine Civil Liberties Union filed a motion today to preserve its right to participate in proceedings in California where the fate of several cases involving the telephone companies and National Security Agency surveillance will soon be decided. These cases include a Maine case that arose from a 2006 complaint filed with the state Public Utilities Commission by Mainers seeking information on Verizon's complicity in the NSA spying program. http://www.aclu.org/natsec/spying/36890prs20080922.html 2008-09-22T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36826prs20080916.html?s_src=RSS With FBI Director Robert Mueller set to testify in front of both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees this week, the American Civil Liberties Union calls upon committee members to ask tough questions about the agency’s new internal guidelines and past abuses. The ACLU is deeply concerned with revisions to FBI internal guidelines governing investigations that allow agents to use an array of intrusive measures without evidence. The original guidelines were adopted in the mid-1970’s after investigations showed widespread abuses and violations of constitutional rights by the FBI. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36826prs20080916.html 2008-09-16T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36732prs20080912.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC - Following a briefing today at the Department of Justice (DOJ), the American Civil Liberties Union reiterated its deep concern over new guidelines that would govern FBI investigations. The new guidelines would lower standards for beginning "assessments" (precursors to investigations), conducting surveillance and gathering evidence, and would replace existing guidelines for five types of existing guidelines: general criminal, national security, foreign intelligence, civil disorders and demonstrations. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36732prs20080912.html 2008-09-12T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/natsec/classified/36691prs20080909.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – As the House moves towards a vote on legislation that would shine a light on government secrecy, the American Civil Liberties Union praised members pivotal in bringing the bill forward. The bill, H.R. 6575, the Over-Classification Reduction Act, was introduced by House Government Oversight Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA). Similar legislation that would apply specifically to the Department of Homeland Security was also introduced this year by Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA). http://www.aclu.org/natsec/classified/36691prs20080909.html 2008-09-09T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/natsec/spying/36598prs20080829.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – In response to a proposed rule change by the Justice Department that would greatly expand law enforcement intelligence gathering in the United States, the American Civil Liberties Union submitted comments today strongly urging the department to reject it. The rule would amend 28 Code of Federal Regulations Part 23 to weaken restrictions on state and local police to collect, retain, and disseminate intelligence on Americans. The ACLU is strenuously objecting to the proposed amendment citing Fourth Amendment and privacy concerns. http://www.aclu.org/natsec/spying/36598prs20080829.html 2008-08-29T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36224prs20080731.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – The American Civil Liberties Union today expressed concern regarding significant new changes made to a previously existing executive order governing the intelligence activities of a multitude of US government agencies, including the FBI, CIA, Defense Department and National Security Agency (NSA). President Bush signed amendments to Executive Order 12333 last night before informing Congress of the changes. The ACLU applauded members of the House Intelligence Committee who walked out of a briefing today in protest of their lack of involvement in drafting the language. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36224prs20080731.html 2008-07-31T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36225prs20080731.html?s_src=RSS WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union testified today about the improper use of the state secrets privilege at a hearing before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. The hearing was held to discuss legislation introduced by the subcommittee’s chairman, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), entitled the “State Secrets Protection Act of 2008” (H.R.5607). The bill would narrow the scope of the privilege by setting appropriate limits on its use. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36225prs20080731.html 2008-07-31T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36185prs20080729.html?s_src=RSS WASHINGTON – The nation’s growing network of “fusion centers” is part of an incipient de facto domestic intelligence system, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Today the ACLU released a report detailing spying on Maryland peace demonstrators, a mysterious domestic-spying scandal at a California military base and other recent incidents, confirming that its warnings about fusion centers were coming true. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36185prs20080729.html 2008-07-29T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36084prs20080723.html?s_src=RSS WASHINGTON, DC – The American Civil Liberties Union urges the House Judiciary Committee to demand accountability from Attorney General Michael Mukasey during the Department of Justice oversight hearing scheduled for today. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/36084prs20080723.html 2008-07-23T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35931prs20080709.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – After a brutal loss on the FISA Amendments Act today in the Senate, the American Civil Liberties Union expressed gratitude to the senators who cast their vote against the bill. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35931prs20080709.html 2008-07-09T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/natsec/foia/35878prs20080702.html?s_src=RSS NEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union today released thousands of pages of documents related to Navy investigations of civilians killed by Coalition Forces in Iraq, including the cousin of the Iraqi ambassador to the United States. Released today in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by the ACLU filed in June 2006, these records provide a vivid snapshot of the circumstances surrounding civilian deaths in Iraq. http://www.aclu.org/natsec/foia/35878prs20080702.html 2008-07-02T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35740prs20080620.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – Following a vote in the House of Representatives sanctioning warrantless wiretapping and handing immunity to telecommunications companies for their role in domestic spying, the American Civil Liberties Union expressed outrage at representatives who voted for the unconstitutional legislation. The bill, H.R. 6304, or The FISA Amendments Act of 2008, passed the chamber by a vote of 293-129, and is expected to be voted on in the Senate next week. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35740prs20080620.html 2008-06-20T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35726prs20080619.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – With news that a surveillance bill may be voted on in the House of Representatives as early as tomorrow, the American Civil Liberties Union sternly warned members against voting for the legislation. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) has worked closely with the White House and has led the effort to gut the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and give the telephone companies what amounts to a pardon for breaking the law. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35726prs20080619.html 2008-06-19T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35537prs20080605.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – As news continues to trickle down from Capitol Hill regarding a deal on surveillance legislation, the American Civil Liberties Union once again voiced its fervent opposition to any attempt to undercut the Fourth Amendment or allow the telecommunications companies to gain blanket immunity for illegal spying. Before the Memorial Day recess the ranking member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator Christopher Bond (R-MO) floated what he claims is a compromise on surveillance legislation that will allow for sham court proceedings, virtually guaranteeing immunity to telecommunications companies. The ACLU strongly opposes this unconstitutional proposal. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35537prs20080605.html 2008-06-05T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35450prs20080523.html?s_src=RSS WASHINGTON, DC - The American Civil Liberties Union praises last night's House of Representatives floor vote that adopted, by a margin of 218-192 (including 15 Republicans) the Holt/Tauscher/Grijalva/Schakowsky Amendment to the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act. The amendment requires the recording and retention of videos of strategic interrogations of persons under the custody or control of the Defense Department. The amendment would bring these interrogations into line with recommended best practices for military and law enforcement interrogations - increasing accountability for compliance with the McCain Anti-Torture Amendment and other anti-torture laws. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35450prs20080523.html 2008-05-23T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35447prs20080523.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – Responding to a proposal from Senate Intelligence Ranking Member, Senator Christopher Bond (R-MO), the American Civil Liberties Union today criticized yet another attempt to gut the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and grant immunity to telecommunications companies. The proposal, which has the backing of the Bush administration, would allow for cases against the telecommunications companies to be held in a secret court and redundantly would restate the provision already in FISA making it the exclusive means to wiretap within the United States – after weakening FISA to allow the president’s warrantless wiretapping program to proceed virtually unfettered. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35447prs20080523.html 2008-05-23T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/natsec/travel/35675prs20080516.html?s_src=RSS BOSTON, MIAMI and MONTPELIER, VT -- Decrying the Bush Administration's attack on families, American Civil Liberties Union affiliates in Massachusetts, Florida, and Vermont, along with the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), today filed a joint friend-of-the-court brief in Vilaseca v. Paulson, a federal lawsuit in Vermont against the Treasury Department, challenging severe restrictions imposed by the U.S. government on travel to visit close family members in Cuba. http://www.aclu.org/natsec/travel/35675prs20080516.html 2008-05-16T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35221prs20080508.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – After Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced a report on Islamic homegrown terrorism today, the American Civil Liberties Union strongly urged Congress to use caution when moving forward on related legislation, the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 (S. 1959). The report, "Violent Islamist Extremism, the Internet, and the Homegrown Terrorism Threat," is based on findings from hearings held by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The ACLU and nearly twenty other groups sent a memo to the committee outlining concerns with the report, most notably the free speech implications of labeling the internet as a "weapon" and the unfair singling out of one religious group as possible "extremists." http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35221prs20080508.html 2008-05-08T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35106prs20080430.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded a Senate subcommittee for holding a hearing on the Bush administration’s use of secrecy to institute government policy. During the hearing, entitled “Secret Law and the Threat to Democratic and Accountable Government,” the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and its chairman, Senator Russell Feingold (D-WI), heard testimony from legal experts and open government advocates. The hearing focused on the administration’s broad interpretation of the law as it relates to government secrecy and counterterrorism policies – including a legal opinion written by former Justice Department Official John Yoo on the use of torture in interrogations. That memo was made public through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made by the ACLU. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35106prs20080430.html 2008-04-30T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35012prs20080424.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – In response to reports that Republicans in the House of Representatives have filed a discharge petition in order to force a vote on a Senate-passed update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the American Civil Liberties Union released the following statement. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35012prs20080424.html 2008-04-24T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35007prs20080424.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – As the Senate Judiciary Committee meets today to mark up key legislation, the American Civil Liberties Union urged the body to pass a bill that would allow Americans to hold their government accountable. The bill, introduced by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), would limit the scope of the state secrets privilege. The Bush administration, which has threatened to veto Senator Kennedy’s bill, has used the privilege to halt several important lawsuits against the government, including an ACLU case involving the extraordinary rendition of an innocent German citizen, Khaled El-Masri. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35007prs20080424.html 2008-04-24T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34981prs20080423.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – As an overbroad and often-abused power is examined today by the Senate Judiciary Committee, the American Civil Liberties Union urged members of the committee to thoroughly question its witnesses before marking up legislation aimed at fixing the problem. The "National Security Letter Reform Act" introduced by committee member Senator Russell Feingold (D-WI), would narrow the scope of National Security Letters (NSLs) and curb abuse by federal law enforcement. NSLs are used to obtain access to personal customer records from Internet Service Providers, financial institutions and credit reporting agencies. Recipients of the NSLs are generally forbidden, or "gagged," from disclosing that they have received the letters. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34981prs20080423.html 2008-04-23T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34982prs20080423.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – As FBI Director Robert Mueller appeared before Congress today, the American Civil Liberties Union urged the House Judiciary Committee to ask him the “hard questions.” http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34982prs20080423.html 2008-04-23T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34927prs20080417.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – As a Senate subcommittee met today to get a “progress report” on fusion centers, the American Civil Liberties Union once again voiced its concerns with the intelligence-gathering institutions. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration heard testimony from government and intelligence officials on a recent report issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding the centers. Though several recent reports have confirmed fusion centers’ growing role in law enforcement and revealed their expanding ties to private industry, including relationships with massive data-brokering companies, no third parties were set to testify. The ACLU released a report last year outlining serious concerns with fusion centers. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34927prs20080417.html 2008-04-17T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/natsec/gen/34832prs20080409.html?s_src=RSS WASHINGTON – Today, the Government Management, Organization, and Procurement Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on federal security that should shine a spotlight on bad security systems. It will address ID cards and other ineffective government programs. http://www.aclu.org/natsec/gen/34832prs20080409.html 2008-04-09T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34816prs20080408.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – The American Civil Liberties Union yesterday called on Department of Justice Inspector General Glenn Fine to begin an internal investigation into the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) use of National Security Letters (NSLs), and whether they were used to funnel Americans’ private information to the Department of Defense (DOD). The NSL statute is a tool used by law enforcement to compel the release of information, such as communications or business records, without a court order. The revelation that the military is getting the FBI to issue NSLs in strictly DOD investigations was disclosed in documents obtained by the ACLU through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. The ACLU sent a letter to Fine yesterday asking him to investigate whether the FBI has aided the DOD in circumventing the law. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34816prs20080408.html 2008-04-08T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34728prs20080401.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – The American Civil Liberties Union today commented on reports that President Bush said he is willing to negotiate on the domestic surveillance program. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34728prs20080401.html 2008-04-01T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34483prs20080314.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – The bruising battle over domestic surveillance that has been red hot since August took a dramatic turn today as the U.S. House of Representatives refused to bow to the president’s scare tactics. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) commends the Members of the House for standing up to the president and for allowing Americans to have their day in court against telecommunications companies that released private information to the government without a warrant. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34483prs20080314.html 2008-03-14T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/natsec/gen/34465prs20080313.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – Legislation introduced today may give a much-needed reprieve to those who have sued the government and encountered the state secrets privilege. The legislation, introduced by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), would establish appropriate limits on the use of the state secrets privilege. The Bush administration has misused the privilege to halt several important lawsuits against the government, including an ACLU case involving the extraordinary rendition of an innocent German citizen, Khaled El-Masri. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA). http://www.aclu.org/natsec/gen/34465prs20080313.html 2008-03-13T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34464prs20080313.html?s_src=RSS WASHINGTON – A report released today by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on the FBI’s use of National Security Letters (NSLs) reveals a systemic, widespread abuse of power. The FBI’s authority to issue NSLs was widely expanded by the USA Patriot Act and it has been increasingly used to collect private information on American citizens without court approval. Today’s audit follows a report released last year that found serious breaches of department regulations and multiple potential violations of the law. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34464prs20080313.html 2008-03-13T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/privacy/gen/34441prs20080312.html?s_src=RSS WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union responded today to a stunning new report that the NSA has effectively revived the Orwellian "Total Information Awareness" domestic-spying program that was banned by Congress in 2003. In response, the ACLU said that it was filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for more information about the spying. And, the group announced that it was moving its "Surveillance Clock" one minute closer to midnight. http://www.aclu.org/privacy/gen/34441prs20080312.html 2008-03-12T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34440prs20080311.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC -- Statement from Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU’s Washington Legislative Office on the proposed House FISA compromise legislation: http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34440prs20080311.html 2008-03-11T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34351prs20080305.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – In testimony today before the Senate Judiciary Committee, FBI Director Robert Mueller confirmed the misuse of National Security Letters (NSLs) – which allow for the collection of personal information without court approval – to secure Americans’ personal information during FBI investigations. A report from the Office of the Inspector General on the FBI’s use of NSLs is expected soon, though it was due in December of last year. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34351prs20080305.html 2008-03-05T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34341prs20080305.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – As the Senate Judiciary Committee was set to question FBI Director Robert Mueller III today, the American Civil Liberties Union urged the committee to ask Director Mueller the tough questions about the bureau’s civil liberties record. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34341prs20080305.html 2008-03-05T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34337prs20080304.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – With a House vote on domestic spy legislation rumored to occur within days, there are reports of a plan to split the two titles of the terrible bill passed by the Senate that gutted the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The Senate bill contains almost no Fourth Amendment protections in its Title I, and its Title II contains immunity for telecommunications companies that illegally aided the president’s warrantlesss wiretapping program. The American Civil Liberties Union urges Congress to not rubberstamp the president’s plan to circumvent the Constitution. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34337prs20080304.html 2008-03-04T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34258prs20080229.html?s_src=RSS As the House of Representatives takes the time it needs to negotiate a bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the White House has launched a public assault on the legislative body. The administration claims that the House has endangered the country by letting the Protect America Act (PAA) expire and should pass the bill already approved by the Senate. The Senate bill, however, is unconstitutional and contains immunity for the telecommunications companies that aided the president’s warrantless wiretapping program. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is urging the House to continue to stand strong for the Constitution. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34258prs20080229.html 2008-02-29T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34241prs20080228.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – President Bush spoke once again today on the House’s refusal to pass a Senate-approved bill updating the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). He also, once again, pleaded for retroactive and prospective immunity for the telecommunications companies who aided in his warrantless wiretapping program, claiming that the suits brought against them were a “financial gravy train” for attorneys. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34241prs20080228.html 2008-02-28T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34119prs20080214.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – Today’s oversight hearing of the Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties is expected to examine the issues of torture and waterboarding, as well as the warrantless wiretapping being conducted by the U.S. government. The acting head of the OLC, Steven Bradbury, will testify before the subcommittee. Mr. Bradbury is thought to be the author of controversial legal opinions from the OLC that have approved the use of harsh interrogation methods and spying on Americans through warrantless wiretaps. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34119prs20080214.html 2008-02-14T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34099prs20080213.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC –The ACLU exhorts members of the House to let the unconstitutional Protect America Act expire and stand strong on not letting the phone companies off the hook for law breaking. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34099prs20080213.html 2008-02-13T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34087prs20080213.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – Today the Senate Judiciary Committee convened to hear testimony on an evidentiary rule known as the state secret privilege. Committee member Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) introduced legislation last month to narrow the scope of the privilege. During the Bush administration, the state secrets privilege has been increasingly and improperly used as a shield to prevent investigation into executive branch misconduct. The most notable invocation of the privilege was to stall the case of an innocent German citizen, Khaled El-Masri, who was kidnapped, detained and tortured in a secret overseas prison. His suit against the government was stalled after the administration invoked the privilege. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34087prs20080213.html 2008-02-13T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34086prs20080212.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – The American Civil Liberties Union today slammed the U.S. Senate for not only authorizing the president’s warrantless wiretapping program but for granting immunity to his accomplices, the telecommunications companies. By a vote of 68 to 29, the Senate passed legislation amending and, in the end, gutting the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The bill now must be conferenced with the House’s version of the bill – which contains no immunity and stricter Fourth Amendment protections – by February 16th, the recently extended expiration date of the equally disastrous Protect America Act. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34086prs20080212.html 2008-02-12T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34077prs20080212.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC –The U.S. Senate is likely to decide to grant immunity to telecommunications providers that broke the law over the past six years in a vote on an amendment to strip immunity from the Senate Intelligence Committee’s bill to gut the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on the immunity amendment Tuesday morning and if the amendment fails, as expected, the bill will be a multi-billion dollar giveaway to giant telecommunications companies. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/34077prs20080212.html 2008-02-12T12:00:00-05:00 http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/33885prs20080201.html?s_src=RSS Washington, DC – On the eve of Groundhog Day, the American Civil Liberties Union warned the Senate not to doom itself to repeat history with its upcoming debate on warrantless wiretapping. Both the House and Senate passed a 15-day extension to the Protect America Act in response to President Bush’s claims that the "flow of vital intelligence" would be disrupted if Congress could not meet the February 1 deadline. Last night, the Senate reached an agreement on the rules of the debate which will take place Monday and Tuesday. http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/33885prs20080201.html 2008-02-01T12:00:00-05:00 CrownPeak CMS