Congress passes Patriot Act expanding surveillance after 9/11

President George W. Bush signs the USA PATRIOT Act on October 26, 2001. The law expands surveillance, information sharing, and law enforcement powers after the September 11 attacks. Civil rights groups warn that expanded national security powers can enable profiling of Muslim, Arab, South Asian, and immigrant communities. Supporters say the law gives investigators needed tools to prevent terrorism. National-security policy after 9/11 becomes deeply tied to racialized suspicion, immigration enforcement, and religious discrimination debates.