Are You Living in a Constitution Free Zone?
Using data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, the ACLU has determined that nearly 2/3 of the entire US population (197.4 million people) live within 100 miles of the US land and coastal borders.
The government is assuming extraordinary powers to stop and search individuals within this zone. This is not just about the border: This " Constitution-Free Zone" includes most of the nation's largest metropolitan areas.
(Are You Living In A Constitution Free Zone? See the interactive map >>)
We urge you to call on Congress to hold hearings on and pass legislation to end these egregious violations of Americans' civil rights.
LEARN MORE
> Fact Sheet on Border "Constitution-free Zone"
> Border Security Technologies
> Remarks of Craig Johnson
> Constitution-Free Zone: The Numbers
True Stories of Violation
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In the News
"Public Meeting on Olympic Peninsula Border Patrol Checkpoints," KUOW News (National Public Radio,) November 3, 2008. Online>
"Homeland Security Assuming Broad Powers, Turning Vast Swaths of U.S. into “Constitution-Free Zone”," ACLU Blog of Rights, October 22, 2008. Online>
"ACLU Assails 100-Mile Border Zone as 'Constitution-Free'," Wired (Blog,) October 22, 2008. Online>
"Expanded Powers to Search Travelers at Border Detailed," The Washington Post, September 23, 2008. Online>
"Citizens' Border Crossings Tracked, Data From Checkpoints to be Kept for 15 years," The Washington Post, August 20, 2008. Online>
"Ferry worker denounces Anacortes patrol agent," Associated Press, June 19, 2008. Online>
"Checkpoint Sticks In Forks' Craw," The Seattle Times, March 21, 2007. Online>