ACLU Comment on NSA Request to Keep Phone-Records Program Alive
The government yesterday evening filed its response to the ACLU’s request for a halt of the NSA’s phone-records program, which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit has already held to be illegal.
The government argues that the USA Freedom Act, which Congress enacted in June, permitted it to revive the surveillance for an additional six months. The ACLU argues that the legislation was meant to end the program, not revive it, and that the program is unconstitutional even if Congress has authorized it.
The following can be attributed to Jameel Jaffer, deputy legal director of the ACLU:
“We strongly disagree with the government’s claim that recent reform legislation was meant to give the NSA’s phone-records dragnet a new lease on life. The appeals court should order the NSA to end this surveillance now. It’s unlawful and it’s an entirely unnecessary intrusion into the privacy of millions of people.”
For the government’s response to the ACLU’s preliminary injunction motion:
https://www.aclu.org/legal-document/aclu-v-clapper-government-response-pi-motion
The government yesterday evening filed its response to the ACLU’s request for a halt of the NSA’s phone-records program, which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit has already held to be illegal.
The government argues that the USA Freedom Act, which Congress enacted in June, permitted it to revive the surveillance for an additional six months. The ACLU argues that the legislation was meant to end the program, not revive it, and that the program is unconstitutional even if Congress has authorized it.
The following can be attributed to Jameel Jaffer, deputy legal director of the ACLU:
“We strongly disagree with the government’s claim that recent reform legislation was meant to give the NSA’s phone-records dragnet a new lease on life. The appeals court should order the NSA to end this surveillance now. It’s unlawful and it’s an entirely unnecessary intrusion into the privacy of millions of people.”
For the government’s response to the ACLU’s preliminary injunction motion:
https://www.aclu.org/legal-document/aclu-v-clapper-government-response-pi-motion
Stay Informed
Every month, you'll receive regular roundups of the most important civil rights and civil liberties developments. Remember: a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy policy.
The Latest in National Security
-
ACLU Acknowledges Improvements to DOJ Racial Profiling Policy, But Says Far More is Needed
-
ACLU Applauds Court For Allowing Case Challenging FBI’s Wrongful Prosecution of Chinese American Physics Professor To Move Forward
-
Shen v. Simpson
-
Chinese Immigrants Sue Florida Over Unconstitutional and Discriminatory Law Banning Them From Buying Land
ACLU's Vision
The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.
Learn More About National Security
The ACLU’s National Security Project is dedicated to ensuring that U.S. national security policies and practices are consistent with the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights.