American Civil Liberties Union

National Security:
Throughout U.S. history "national security" has often been used as a pretext for massive violations of individual rights. The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 mobilized our country in the fight against terrorism. However, this also launched a serious civil liberties crises. The ACLU continues to challenge policies like the USA Patriot Act, and creates campaigns like Safe and Free.


ACLU Blog of Rights ACLU Legacy Challenge - See and Hear What Others Have Done

Freedom Files - Season 2
Ideological Exclusion

ACLU NewsfeedsACLU News Feed
ACLU Blog
ACLU Podcasts

National Security : Legislative Documents

Letter to the House Opposing H. R. 1104, the Child Abduction Prevention Act (03/26/2003)

Coalition Letter to the House Select Committee on Homeland Security Urging Opposition to the CAPPS II Program (03/25/2003)

How "Patriot Act 2" Would Further Erode the Basic Checks on Government Power That Keep America Safe and Free (03/20/2003)

ACLU Comments on Draft Military Commission Instruction, "Crimes and Elements for Trials by Military Commissions" (03/19/2003)

Sign-on Letter to Congress Urging Opposition to the Draft Domestic Security Enhancement Act (PATRIOT Act II) (03/17/2003)

Sign on Letter Urging Support for the "Restoration of Freedom of Information Act of 2003" (03/13/2003)

Coalition Letter to Homeland Security Secretary Ridge Urging the Appointment of an Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (03/12/2003)

Coalition Letter to the Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee Urging Support to the Wyden Amendment to S. 165, the Air Cargo Security Act (03/12/2003)

Sign-on Letter to Senators Leahy, Grassley and Specter Urging Support for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Reporting Act of 2003 (02/25/2003)

Letter to the Department of Transportation on "Aviation Security Screening Records" 68 Fed. Reg. 2,101 (January 15, 2003). (02/24/2003)

Interested Persons Memo: Section-by-Section Analysis of Justice Department draft "Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003," also known as "PATRIOT Act II" (02/14/2003)

Sign-on Letter to the Judiciary Committee Urging Rejection to S. 113, Expanding FISA Surveillance by Defining Single Person as a "Foreign Power" (02/12/2003)

Letter to Conferees on Restrictions on Total Information Awareness and Special Registration Funding in H.J. Res. 2, the Omnibus Appropriations Bill (02/07/2003)

Coalition Letter to the Senate Conferees Urging Support on the Wyden Amendment to H.J.Res.2, the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, Which Limits the Total Information Awareness Program (01/30/2003)

Coalition Letter to House Conferees Urging Support on the Wyden Amendment to H.J.Res.2, the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, Which Limits the Total Information Awareness Program (01/30/2003)

Coalition Letter to Key Members of Congress Urging Prohibition of the "Total Information Awareness" Program (01/14/2003)

Coalition Letter to President Bush Urging Elimination of the INS "Special Registration Program." (01/09/2003)

Click to show/hide issues list
Your Local ACLUcongressional scorecardmultimediaforumspublicationssupport usstorecontact