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Federal judge rules FBI terrorism watchlist violates constitutional rights
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that a government database of more than one million people identified as "known or suspected terrorists," violates the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens who were added to the list by denying them due process.
Almost two dozen Muslim American citizens who were placed on a watchlist, known as the Terrorist Screening Database, filed suit along with the Council on American-Islamic Relations against the government saying they were wrongly included in the database and that the process for adding names is overbroad and riddled with errors.
Many on the list, which is maintained by the FBI and shared with a variety of federal agencies, said they were subjected to frequent and sometimes invasive screenings while traveling which have led to "adverse experiences and consequences," including being handcuffed at border crossings.
U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga ruled that the travel difficulties faced by plaintiffs who were on the list are significant and that they have a right to due process when their constitutional rights are infringed.
Previously: Feds Sued for Putting Infant (and Thousands More) on Terrorist Watchlist
(Score: 5, Insightful) by bradley13 on Friday September 06 2019, @07:37AM (3 children)
If you do that in your store, it's probably fine. The people can always tell you to f-off, and go to another store. It's kinda hard to tell the government of your country to f-off. That list is notorious for being inaccurate: if you have the same name as some bomb-maker in Iraq, you might well land on the list. The government doesn't tell you that you're on the list, you just somehow keep getting randomly selected for invasive security checks. If you find out why, there's absolutely nothing you can do to get your name off the list.
If the government wants to take action against an individual, the Constitution guarantees due process. What's stupid is that it has taken nearly two decades to get this ruling from a court. And now? Federal law enforcement is so arrogant that they will likely just ignore it.
Everyone is somebody else's weirdo.
(Score: 3, Touché) by c0lo on Friday September 06 2019, @07:43AM (2 children)
Not that hard. You live in Switzerland now, aren't you?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by bradley13 on Friday September 06 2019, @12:39PM (1 child)
I'm impressed with your memory. Yes, I did leave, although for a more prosaic reason.
Still, the difficulties of packing up and leaving should not be underestimated, especially if you have a family.
Everyone is somebody else's weirdo.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 06 2019, @02:45PM
You've mentioned it before. Not too hard to remember.
Have you freed yourself from US taxes yet?