Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments Act
Last Update: February 26, 2015
What's at Stake
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), enacted by Congress after the abuses of the 1960s and 70s, regulates the government’s conduct of intelligence surveillance inside the United States. It generally requires the government to seek warrants before monitoring Americans’ communications. In 2001, however, President Bush authorized the National Security Agency to launch a warrantless wiretapping program, and in 2008 Congress ratified and expanded that program, giving the NSA almost unchecked power to monitor Americans’ international phone calls and emails. In February 2013, the Supreme Court dismissed the ACLU's lawsuit challenging the law.
Summary
Less than an hour after President Bush signed the 2008 amendments, the ACLU filed its lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality. The case, Amnesty v. Clapper, was filed on behalf of a broad coalition of attorneys and human rights, labor, legal and media organizations whose work requires them to engage in sensitive and sometimes privileged telephone and e-mail communications with individuals located outside the United States.
In 2009, a judge in New York dismissed the suit on the grounds that the ACLU’s clients couldn’t prove that their communications would be monitored under the new law. A federal appeals court reversed that ruling in 2011 and the Obama administration appealed the issue to the Supreme Court, which heard oral argument in October 2012. In a 5-4 ruling handed down on February 26, 2013, the Supreme Court held that the ACLU plaintiffs don't have standing to challenge the constitutionality of the warrantless wiretapping program.
You can view the court filings here.
ACLU attorney Jameel Jaffer, Human Rights Watch General Counsel Dinah PoKempner, and journalist Chris Hedges talk about the ACLU's lawsuit against the FISA Amendments Act.
ACLU Sues Over Unconstitutional Wiretapping Law
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Legal Documents
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03/26/2013
Amnesty et al. v. Clapper - Reply Brief for the Petitioners
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. Clapper - Reply Brief for the Petitioners
Date Filed: 03/26/2013
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02/26/2013
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Opinion
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Opinion
Date Filed: 02/26/2013
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09/24/2012
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Date Filed: 09/24/2012
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09/24/2012
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of New York State Bar Association
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of New York State Bar Association
Date Filed: 09/24/2012
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09/24/2012
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of the Reporters' Committee for Freedom of the Press
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of the Reporters' Committee for Freedom of the Press
Date Filed: 09/24/2012
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09/24/2012
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of The Center for Constitutional Rights
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of The Center for Constitutional Rights
Date Filed: 09/24/2012
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09/24/2012
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of the Constitutional Accountability Center
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of the Constitutional Accountability Center
Date Filed: 09/24/2012
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09/24/2012
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of the Gun Owners Foundation
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of the Gun Owners Foundation
Date Filed: 09/24/2012
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09/24/2012
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of Former Church Committee Members and Staff
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of Former Church Committee Members and Staff
Date Filed: 09/24/2012
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09/24/2012
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of the New York City Bar Association
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of the New York City Bar Association
Date Filed: 09/24/2012
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09/24/2012
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
Date Filed: 09/24/2012
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09/24/2012
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of the Electronic Privacy Information Center
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Clapper – Supreme Court – Amicus Brief of the Electronic Privacy Information Center
Date Filed: 09/24/2012
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09/17/2012
Amnesty et al v. Clapper - Supreme Court - Brief for Respondents
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al v. Clapper - Supreme Court - Brief for Respondents
Date Filed: 09/17/2012
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07/26/2012
Amnesty v. Clapper - Government's Supreme Court Brief
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Clapper - Government's Supreme Court Brief
Date Filed: 07/26/2012
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05/22/2012
Amnesty et al. v. Clapper - Legal Documents
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. Clapper - Legal Documents
Date Filed: 05/22/2012
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04/17/2012
Amnesty et al. v. Clapper – Brief in Opposition to Petition for Certiorari
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. Clapper – Brief in Opposition to Petition for Certiorari
Date Filed: 04/17/2012
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02/17/2012
Amnesty et al. v. Clapper – Government Petition for Certiorari
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. Clapper – Government Petition for Certiorari
Date Filed: 02/17/2012
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09/21/2011
Amnesty et al. v. Clapper - 2nd Circuit Denial of Rehearing En Banc
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. Clapper - 2nd Circuit Denial of Rehearing En Banc
Date Filed: 09/21/2011
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03/21/2011
Amnesty et al. v. Clapper - Decision
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. Clapper - Decision
Date Filed: 03/21/2011
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06/03/2010
FOIA Complaint for Documents Related to FAA Implementation
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
FOIA Complaint for Documents Related to FAA Implementation
Date Filed: 06/03/2010
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12/23/2009
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Brief Amicus Curiae of Brennan Center for Justice, et al., in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Brief Amicus Curiae of Brennan Center for Justice, et al., in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants
Date Filed: 12/23/2009
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12/23/2009
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Brief Amicus Curiae of the New York City Bar Association in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Brief Amicus Curiae of the New York City Bar Association in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants
Date Filed: 12/23/2009
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12/23/2009
Amnesty et al. v. Blair - Brief of Law Professors as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. Blair - Brief of Law Professors as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants
Date Filed: 12/23/2009
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12/23/2009
Amnesty et al. v. Blair - Brief Amicus Curiae of the Reporters' Committee for Freedom of the Press in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. Blair - Brief Amicus Curiae of the Reporters' Committee for Freedom of the Press in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants
Date Filed: 12/23/2009
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12/17/2009
Amnesty, et al. v. Blair - Brief for the Plaintiffs-Appellants
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty, et al. v. Blair - Brief for the Plaintiffs-Appellants
Date Filed: 12/17/2009
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10/01/2009
Amnesty, et al. v. Blair - Notice of Appeal
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty, et al. v. Blair - Notice of Appeal
Date Filed: 10/01/2009
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08/20/2009
Amnesty, et al. v. Blair - Opinion and Order
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty, et al. v. Blair - Opinion and Order
Date Filed: 08/20/2009
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04/28/2009
Amnesty v. Blair - Government's Letter Re Reported Abuse Of FAA
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Blair - Government's Letter Re Reported Abuse Of FAA
Date Filed: 04/28/2009
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04/22/2009
Amnesty v. Blair - Plaintiffs' Letter Re Reported Abuse Of FAA
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Blair - Plaintiffs' Letter Re Reported Abuse Of FAA
Date Filed: 04/22/2009
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03/09/2009
Amnesty v. Blair - Government's Letter In Further Response To Plaintiffs' Motion For Disclosure
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Blair - Government's Letter In Further Response To Plaintiffs' Motion For Disclosure
Date Filed: 03/09/2009
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02/23/2009
Amnesty v. Blair - Government's Letter In Response To Plaintiffs' Motion For Disclosure
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Blair - Government's Letter In Response To Plaintiffs' Motion For Disclosure
Date Filed: 02/23/2009
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02/04/2009
Amnesty v. Blair - Plaintiffs' Memo Of Law In Support Of Motion For Disclosure
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Blair - Plaintiffs' Memo Of Law In Support Of Motion For Disclosure
Date Filed: 02/04/2009
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02/04/2009
Amnesty v. Blair - Plaintiffs' Letter Re In Re Directives
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. Blair - Plaintiffs' Letter Re In Re Directives
Date Filed: 02/04/2009
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01/27/2009
Amnesty v. McConnell - Government's Letter Re In Re Directives
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Government's Letter Re In Re Directives
Date Filed: 01/27/2009
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01/16/2009
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Defendants' Reply Memorandum in Support of Defendants' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Defendants' Reply Memorandum in Support of Defendants' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment
Date Filed: 01/16/2009
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12/19/2008
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Brief Amicus Curiae of the Rutherford Institute and the Brennan Center for Justice in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Brief Amicus Curiae of the Rutherford Institute and the Brennan Center for Justice in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Date Filed: 12/19/2008
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12/19/2008
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Brief Amicus Curiae of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Brief Amicus Curiae of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Date Filed: 12/19/2008
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12/19/2008
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Brief Amicus Curiae of the New York City Bar Association in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Brief Amicus Curiae of the New York City Bar Association in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Date Filed: 12/19/2008
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12/12/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Reply in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Reply in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Date Filed: 12/12/2008
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12/12/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Plaintiffs' Supplemental Statement of Undisputed Facts
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Plaintiffs' Supplemental Statement of Undisputed Facts
Date Filed: 12/12/2008
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12/11/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Professor Christopher L. Hedges
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Professor Christopher L. Hedges
Date Filed: 12/11/2008
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12/09/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Steven M. Bellovin
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Steven M. Bellovin
Date Filed: 12/09/2008
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12/08/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Professor Stephen Gillers
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Professor Stephen Gillers
Date Filed: 12/08/2008
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12/01/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Scott McKay
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Scott McKay
Date Filed: 12/01/2008
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10/28/2008
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Defendants' Response to Plaintiffs' Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Defendants' Response to Plaintiffs' Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Date Filed: 10/28/2008
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10/28/2008
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Defendants' Memo in Opposition to Summary Judgment
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al. v. McConnell - Defendants' Memo in Opposition to Summary Judgment
Date Filed: 10/28/2008
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09/12/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Date Filed: 09/12/2008
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09/12/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Date Filed: 09/12/2008
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09/12/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Memo in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Memo in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment
Date Filed: 09/12/2008
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09/11/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Jameel Jaffer
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Jameel Jaffer
Date Filed: 09/11/2008
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09/11/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Naomi Klein
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Naomi Klein
Date Filed: 09/11/2008
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09/11/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Joanne Mariner
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Joanne Mariner
Date Filed: 09/11/2008
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09/11/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Sylvia Royce
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of Sylvia Royce
Date Filed: 09/11/2008
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09/11/2008
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of John Walsh
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty v. McConnell - Declaration of John Walsh
Date Filed: 09/11/2008
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07/10/2008
Amnesty et al v McConnell - Complaint
Amnesty v. Clapper - Challenge to FISA Amendments ActLegal Documents
Amnesty et al v McConnell - Complaint
Date Filed: 07/10/2008
Download DocumentPress Releases
May 13, 2011
Justice Department Asks Appeals Court To Reconsider Ruling Allowing Challenge To Warrantless Wiretapping Law
Mar 21, 2011
Court Reinstates ACLU Lawsuit Challenging Unconstitutional Spying Law
Dec 09, 2010
ACLU Testifies Before House About Excessive Executive Branch Power And Other Civil Liberties Issues Facing Incoming Congress
Jun 03, 2010
ACLU Sues For Records About Government's Use Of Unconstitutional Spying Powers
Dec 17, 2009
Lawsuit Challenging Unconstitutional Spying Should Be Reinstated, Says ACLU
Oct 01, 2009
ACLU Asks Court To Reinstate Challenge To Spying Law
News & Commentary
Other Documents
Sep 05, 2007
Written Testimony of Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office, Submitted to the House Judiciary Committee for a Hearing on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
Apr 08, 2003
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act - News and Resources
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