Terrorism, though has become a cliché for over a century already, has been put into the limelight more during the 9/11 attacks. During that time, governments of different countries extended support and thumb printed promises of fighting terrorism for the protection of their citizens. As the main victim of the 9/11 attacks, United States have done extensive measures to retaliate for the lost Americans and also to prevent another possible the same scenario. Offensive missions have been spearheaded by the US government against the Taliban Forces in Afghanistan after several months of the attack. Another mission has been started to sweep off Al-Qaeda network allegedly based in Iran. Until now, reconnaissance has been strengthened and other military movements have been even emphasized. However, beyond these physical moves of the government, another controversial yet acclaimed to be helpful move done was the US PATRIOT Act of 2001 or the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001. This act served as the main backbone of executive to fight terrorism, punish terrorists, and protect the people.
This law covers all aspects pertaining to military operation, conducting investigation, money laundering, immigration, foreign students, and identity background investigations. As terrorism is even specified as any act that may destruct the public safety or threaten the public in any form, this law provides that whoever, unarmed or armed, organized or not, once this definition of terrorism is satisfied, the government or any authorized entity can declare terrorism - that a certain crime involving distortion or fear to public may be declared an act of terrorism. On this matter, all citizens are protected by this law and all can also be subject for criminal charges by this law. The only advantage of a citizen over this law is that, the citizen will be tried in accordance with the codes of penology.
There were so many issues involving the US PATRIOT Act of 2001. One is that, because it was signed by President George W. Bush just a month after the attack, opposition said that it was not given chance to be debated in the Senate. Another issue concerning this act is the overlooking of some of the privacy rights of US citizens over information, education, and finance. There is a provision in the law that allows the government to search and trace all financial accounts of their suspect. This is in connection with the funding and existing Anti-Money Laundering Law of the country. Consumer credit information may also be penetrated and known by the government in their pursuit for the suppression of terrorism act.
Nevertheless, because of the provisions pertaining to information gathering and investigation, companies have been given a go-signal by the government to access certain information that they needed in order to qualify their applicants. The said Act also mandated several labor sectors such as those in the aspect of aviation, security, and medical sciences to have their employees and applicants undergo complete background check.
The ***** over the Act is definitely the same as with the issue embodied in conducting a background check. It is a matter of responsible execution of this law and for the case of the background check investigators, the proper treatment of information so as not to create degradation of dignity and discrimination. Depending on the reason and the process the law is executed and the investigation is proceeded is where the line for this issue is set.
The US PATRIOT Act of 2001 allows companies to conduct background checks to their employees to ensure that no terror can prevail in the workplace.