US House Approves Gov't Surveillance on Immigrants, Non-Americans

The US House of Representatives has passed the legislation seeking to spy on immigrants and non-Americans even without a warrant despite protests concerning data and personal privacy.

With a 273-147 vote last Friday, the House reauthorized the use of spying tools to collect intelligence from non-US citizens in the country for two more years.

The proposed Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act previously suggested that surveillance operations be continued for the next five years.

The bill's passing was first reported by CBS News.

Democrats have long touted the law as a tool in curbing cybercrime, drug trafficking, terrorist plots, and foreign espionage on Americans.

FISA is Also Spying on US Citizens

It is worth noting, however, that the legislation also allows government agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation to bypass warrant requirements to spy on US citizens for communication with foreign individuals.

FISA has been among the sweeping legislations passed under former President George W. Bush as a supposed part of the administration's efforts to prevent another 9/11 incident.

The same law was reported to be misused and abused by state officials on multiple occasions, especially in alleged investigations on racial justice and civil protests.

Gov't Agencies Caught Abusing FISA Provisions

Amid regulatory crackdowns on tech companies from collecting US users' data, the same cannot be said for the actual government bodies.

A court finding in May 2023 has revealed that FBI agents have repeatedly violated FISA provisions by illegally collecting thousands of foreign intelligence for information related to the Capitol Hill insurrection and the Black Lives Matter protests.

According to the court documents, the FBI conducted investigations on individuals suspected of being involved in the Jan. 6 riot for supposed connection with foreign governments without much justification.

More privacy experts and even Republicans, including impeached President Donald Trump, have since then decried the law for allowing rampant spying on US citizens.