The USA Patriot Act refers to legislation created in the United States Congress through an act which was enacted into law by the president at that time called George W. Bush. This occurred on October 26, 2001. This law was acting as a rejoinder to the terrorist ambush on September 11, 2001, and greatly lifted any limitations on the agencies charged with enforcing the law and those collecting intelligence within the country.
The law also increased the Secretary of the Treasury’s power to control any financial operations especially those which incorporate foreign personalities and widened the prudence of agencies enforcing the law as well as immigration bodies in controlling and deporting foreigners who were believed to engage in acts of terrorism.
This law additionally widened the description of terrorism to incorporate domestic terrorism hence increasing the nature of activities that the USA Patriot Act’s widened law regulatory powers could accommodate.
During the tenure of George W. Bush as the president, draft legislation was formed. It was referred to as the Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003. This draft was developed by the United States Department of Justice under the leadership of the Attorney General then called John Ashcroft.
The Center for Public Integrity got a copy of this draft and had it put up on its website. However, this was never taken to the United States Congress. If it had, this act would have increased the authority of the United States Federal government and concurrently limit any judicial review of the same authorities.
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 was enacted into law on November 25, 2002. It was developed following the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, as well as additional anthrax spiked mailings to different people. This act was also supported by at least 118 legislators of the United States Congress. It was subsequently enacted into law by the then President George Bush.
The Homeland Security Act led to the creation of the United States Department of Homeland Security as well as the newly formed cabinet level vacancy of the Secretary of Homeland Security. It is considered as the greatest federal government restructuring after the creation of the Department of Defense. This act also incorporates many of the agencies through which the mandates of the USA Patriot Act are carried out.
The newly formed department took on many roles as well as services, offices, and other agencies that were previously controlled by other departments. Such departments that had previously controlled several agencies include the Customs Service, Coast Guard, and the United States Secret Service. It surpassed but never got to replace the Office of Homeland Security. Office of Homeland Security largely maintained its advisory position (Department of Homeland Security, 2002).
The evolution of crime fighting may affect social policy from national and international perspectives. From the national front, it may require that policies be formed uniformly to combat the nature of criminal atrocities faced. Policies will be created with the intention of firstly safeguarding the national interests above anything else. On the international perspective, various protocols will have to be created regarding the interaction between nations as regards dealing with international relations as well as fighting crime (Schmalleger, 2012).
Evolving technologies relate to national and international policy making in several ways. First, nations take consideration of which technology to be used in controlling a certain aspect of dealing with international crime. This has to go hand in hand with the common interests of all nations involved and not just one party. Hence, policymaking is affected in the sense that all countries involved have to benefit (Gambino, 2009).
References
Department of Homeland Security. (2002). The Homeland Security Act of 2002.
Gambino, P. (2009). Technology in Fighting Crimes: Its Implications. New York: Sage Publications.
Schmalleger, F. (2012). Criminology today: An integrative introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall