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Sweeping Homeland Security Investigation Of Muslims Was Unconstitutional And Discriminatory, Says ACLU (10/31/2008)
WASHINGTON – A report in today’s New York Times revealed details of a 2004 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) anti-terrorism program that, despite government claims to the contrary, used racial profiling. More than 2,000 Muslim immigrants were investigated in the lead up to the 2004 elections, and many were interrogated right before the November election. Despite the investment of considerable resources, “Operation Front Line” produced minimal results. Most of those investigated were found to have done nothing wrong.

ACLU Releases Presidential Transition Plan To Restore Civil Liberties (10/27/2008)
WASHINGTON – In anticipation of the presidential election, the American Civil Liberties Union today released a set of detailed recommendations on steps that the new president should take to “clean house,” renew freedom, and restore the nation’s reputation.

ACLU calls on the Inspectors General of the Intelligence Agencies to Follow the Law and Provide a Public Report on U.S. Wiretapping (10/24/2008)
WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union calls on the Inspectors General of the Intelligence Agencies to respect the rule of law and make legally required domestic surveillance reports to Congress completely and publically available.

ACLU Hails DHS-Funded Report Condemning Data Mining (10/08/2008)

ACLU Condemns New FBI Guidelines (10/03/2008)
Washington, DC – New FBI guidelines governing investigations were released today after being signed by Attorney General Michael Mukasey. The American Civil Liberties Union quickly blasted the Department of Justice and FBI for ignoring calls for more stringent protections of Americans’ rights. The guidelines replace existing bureau guidelines for five types of investigations: general criminal, national security, foreign intelligence, civil disorders and demonstrations. The ACLU has been vocal in its disapproval of the overly broad guidelines, citing both the FBI’s and DOJ’s documented records of internal abuse.

Congress Must Set Restrictions On Information (09/24/2008)
Washington, DC – As a key House subcommittee met for a hearing entitled “A Report Card on Homeland Security Information Sharing,” the American Civil Liberties Union today urged subcommittee members to ask the witnesses tough questions to ensure information sharing benefits our security without endangering the rights of innocent Americans. The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment heard testimony from national and local security experts about efforts to increase information sharing among law enforcement, including the use of fusion centers.

ACLU Asks Inspector General to Investigate Abuses of FBI Guidelines (09/23/2008)
Washington, DC – The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence will hear testimony today on proposed changes to the attorney general guidelines. The guidelines govern FBI investigations and were adopted in the mid-1970’s after it was discovered that the agency was engaged in widespread abuses and violations of constitutional rights – including politically-motivated spying on figures like Martin Luther King, Jr. FBI Director Robert Mueller also answered questions about the guidelines last week during hearings before both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The American Civil Liberties Union is asking the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to investigate whether the FBI violated previous guidelines before the new guidelines are put into place.

MCLU Opposes Government's Motion to Dismiss Telecom Cases (09/22/2008)
PORTLAND - The Maine Civil Liberties Union filed a motion today to preserve its right to participate in proceedings in California where the fate of several cases involving the telephone companies and National Security Agency surveillance will soon be decided. These cases include a Maine case that arose from a 2006 complaint filed with the state Public Utilities Commission by Mainers seeking information on Verizon's complicity in the NSA spying program.

FBI Director Faces Interrogation by Congress (09/16/2008)
With FBI Director Robert Mueller set to testify in front of both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees this week, the American Civil Liberties Union calls upon committee members to ask tough questions about the agency’s new internal guidelines and past abuses. The ACLU is deeply concerned with revisions to FBI internal guidelines governing investigations that allow agents to use an array of intrusive measures without evidence. The original guidelines were adopted in the mid-1970’s after investigations showed widespread abuses and violations of constitutional rights by the FBI.

New FBI Guidelines Open Door to Further Abuse (09/12/2008)
Washington, DC - Following a briefing today at the Department of Justice (DOJ), the American Civil Liberties Union reiterated its deep concern over new guidelines that would govern FBI investigations. The new guidelines would lower standards for beginning "assessments" (precursors to investigations), conducting surveillance and gathering evidence, and would replace existing guidelines for five types of existing guidelines: general criminal, national security, foreign intelligence, civil disorders and demonstrations.

ACLU Urges House to Raise Curtain of Government Secrecy (09/09/2008)
Washington, DC – As the House moves towards a vote on legislation that would shine a light on government secrecy, the American Civil Liberties Union praised members pivotal in bringing the bill forward. The bill, H.R. 6575, the Over-Classification Reduction Act, was introduced by House Government Oversight Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA). Similar legislation that would apply specifically to the Department of Homeland Security was also introduced this year by Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA).

ACLU Weighs In On Attempt to Expand Law Enforcement Intelligence Systems (08/29/2008)
Washington, DC – In response to a proposed rule change by the Justice Department that would greatly expand law enforcement intelligence gathering in the United States, the American Civil Liberties Union submitted comments today strongly urging the department to reject it. The rule would amend 28 Code of Federal Regulations Part 23 to weaken restrictions on state and local police to collect, retain, and disseminate intelligence on Americans. The ACLU is strenuously objecting to the proposed amendment citing Fourth Amendment and privacy concerns.

ACLU Skeptical of Intelligence Overhaul (07/31/2008)
Washington, DC – The American Civil Liberties Union today expressed concern regarding significant new changes made to a previously existing executive order governing the intelligence activities of a multitude of US government agencies, including the FBI, CIA, Defense Department and National Security Agency (NSA). President Bush signed amendments to Executive Order 12333 last night before informing Congress of the changes. The ACLU applauded members of the House Intelligence Committee who walked out of a briefing today in protest of their lack of involvement in drafting the language.

ACLU Testifies Today Asking Congress To Narrow Scope Of State Secrets Privilege (07/31/2008)
WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union testified today about the improper use of the state secrets privilege at a hearing before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. The hearing was held to discuss legislation introduced by the subcommittee’s chairman, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), entitled the “State Secrets Protection Act of 2008” (H.R.5607). The bill would narrow the scope of the privilege by setting appropriate limits on its use.