Homeland Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Homeland Security - Essay Example As is always the case, individual rights cede way to national security concerns and not vice versa. While public order advocates argue that this should be the case, civil rights advocates gainsay this standpoint. The tension has been aggravated following September 11 Terrorist Attacks. As already stated, September 11 Terrorist Attacks serve as a watershed in the development of the tension between national security policy and the protection of civil liberties. As a way of responding to the September 11 Attacks, the US Congress passed the US Patriot Act 2001 on October 26, 2001. While the Patriot Act 2001 would serve as a strong instrument for waging the War on Terror, there were concerns that it was also a harbinger for mass violations of individual or civil rights. Particularly, Section 206 of the US Patriot Act 2001 allows Homeland Security officials and other security officers to use roving wire taps to provide law enforcement agencies with surveillance and intelligence. This move is a violation of the right to privacy which is well protected in the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution (White, 2003). Again, Section 215 of the Patriot Act 2001 gives law enforcement agencies the legal authority to access tangible pieces of details of American citizens and the rest of inhabitants in the United States. This is in violation to some civil rights that are enshrined in the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution. The Fourth Amendment accords US Citizens the right to be secure or safe in their person, areas of residence, papers and personal effects from unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fourth Amendment continues that these rights shall not be violated unless there is an issuance of the arrest or search warrant and/ or probable cause. This probable cause had to be in turn confirmed by the Oath of Affirmation. Section 215 of the Patriot Act 2001 is an affront to the right to privacy and the freedom from unlawful arrest. As if the foregoing is