Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (Fisa), Pros and Cons

AMU |

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), Pros and Cons |

FISA, Pros and Cons |

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2/26/2013 |

INTL305 |

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, Pros and Cons

The foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was established in 1978, its purpose was to provide the guidelines to which electronic surveillance was used in the gathering of foreign intelligence. The Act was passed after the Church Committee found signs of abuse wiretaps, and concerns on the part of the Supreme Court over eavesdropping. The law allows the surveillance of people in the US for the purpose of collecting intelligence related to foreign governments. A special court was created to hear the requests for warrants dealing with foreign intelligence gathering, the court was known as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. There has been some controversy over some sections of FISA regarding the distinction between National Security and civil liberties. At issue is the expiration of a temporary revision to the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The revision makes it easier for the administration to spy on foreign phone calls and e-mails that pass through the U.S., even if one party is an American. It also gives lawsuit immunity to telecommunications companies that cooperate with government spying.

Some Provisions were set to expire at a given date these provisions were known as “sun-set Provisions. These provisions were made in order to address the issues surrounding the fine line between National Security and civil liberties. The answer, Congress came up with three of the most controversial amendments to FISA and gave them a shelf life so to speak. After the attacks of 9/11, some members of the bush administration questioned the restrictions of FISA. The Nation had been attacked had the nation been more alert to terrorist organizations and their plans it would have been possible to prevent the attack. Sections of the USA PATRIOT Act gave law officials the...