63 AAPI groups and allies oppose reauthorizing surveillance act

A coalition of 63 Asian American and allied groups is urging the U.S. Congress to reject any short-term reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), saying it encourages harmful ethnic profiling.

“Section 702 and related surveillance authorities have been misused to spy on Americans, including but not limited to protesters, journalists, campaign donors, and members of Congress. The consequences of such misuse have had a profound impact on our Asian American community, resulting in wrongful targeting, unjust surveillance, and devastating tolls on careers, livelihoods, and reputations,” the letter posted on the Stop AAPI Hate website and sent to Congress this week states.

“This disproportionate targeting has fostered a climate of fear among Asian Americans and their families, causing anxiety about being stopped, monitored, or investigated while engaging in everyday activities. These issues not only raise significant concerns about civil liberties and civil rights, but also underscore the need for substantial reform.”

Click here for the full letter and list of organizations.

The groups have said Section 702 is far too broad and needs urgent reforms.

With the program set to expire at the end of this year, the groups oppose any short-term reauthorization, calling instead for comprehensive changes including: requiring a warrant to access communications and other personal data, bolstering judicial review of foreign intelligence surveillance, and placing resonable limits on the scope of surveillance.