Terrorism and Policy - Essay Example

or terrorist activities; and empowers the enforcement agencies to scrutinize foreign jurisdictions and to monitor the transactions of foreign financial agencies. Bank accounts are to be closely monitored to detect any criminal abuse of those accounts. The US enforcement authorities can direct foreign financial institutions and service providers to report money laundering activities that are linked to terrorist activity. In addition, this Act seeks to prevent foreign officials from exploiting the American financial system for their own ends.

It also, facilitates the repatriation of stolen assets to the country where the theft transpired (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). The official name of the USA PATRIOT Act is the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act. It was enacted in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.This act provides widespread powers to the police and intelligence agencies, and it also expands the authority of law enforcement authorities in search and surveillance interventions.

More importantly, the PATRIOT Act rescinds the checks and balances system, which enables the courts to review the constitutional validity of statutes and to conduct a judicial review of such statutes, in order to ensure that there is no abuse of power by the government. The Constitution bestowed civil liberties and right to privacy on the citizens, but these rights have been endangered by the PATRIOT Act. It also affects the democratic traditions and customs in the US, and there is widespread opposition in the US against this statute, because it repeals the fundamental rights of the people (The USA PATRIOT Act).

Homeland security aims to protect the US from any potential terrorist attack. Its fundamental duties include preparedness against such attacks, ensuring a high level of protection against terrorist attacks and the management of the results of such attacks on the US.