IP: 11-06-01 -- Keep Customs Officers Accountable

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> TO: ACLU Action Network
> FR: Jared Feuer, Internet Organizer
> DT: November 6, 2001
>
> Legislation being considered by Congress after the September terrorist 
> attacks continues to revolve around the misguided perception that giving 
> expanded, unchecked authority to those who enforce our laws will 
> necessarily make us safer.  A prime example is the new, "Customs Border 
> Security Act," a bill originally meant to deal with U.S. Customs employee 
> wage issues.  The revised legislation now includes provisions that would 
> not only weaken protections against racial profiling, other illegal 
> searches, and undermine the right to privacy in personal correspondence, 
> but would move toward making law enforcement agents accountable to no one 
> but themselves.
>
> To perform their duty of searching persons arriving in the United States 
> for contraband, Customs officers have the extraordinary power to perform 
> searches.  These powers are not unlimited, however, and contain 
> protections to check this authority for the protection of the 
> innocent.  The Customs Border Security Act would expand the immunity of 
> Customs officials in ways that would make it nearly impossible for a 
> person to seek redress for an unconstitutional search.  Without this 
> check, Customs officers would nearly become free agents without a 
> mechanism to ensure that their powers are not abused.
>
> Take Action!  You can read more about this legislation and send a FREE FAX 
> to your Representative from our action alert at:
>
> http://www.aclu.org/action/customs107.html
>
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