Most Americans don’t realize that today, government agents can search, seize, and surveil ordinary citizens—no warrant or probable cause needed. Officials don’t even need to suspect you of a particular crime to treat you like a delinquent in need of constant supervision.

You only need to look to past IJ cases for examples. The government can—and does:

• Access any information you share with others—including your phone records, medical charts, or internet history;

• Enter your property and install surveillance cameras to watch you 24/7;

• Force you to install a GPS tracker to constantly monitor your location;

• Read your bank statements to decide whether it’s worth targeting your property for forfeiture; and

• Poke through your bathroom cabinets, closets, or medicine cupboards using so-called administrative warrants.

They are free to do this because judges have gutted the protections against unreasonable searches and seizures that the Fourth Amendment was designed to secure. This week, IJ launched our Project on the Fourth Amendment to build upon and expand our work to protect the rights guaranteed by this vital part of the Bill of Rights. You can read more about this project at ij.org/4A.

Please join IJ today and help us win enduring legal victories for the rights that keep all Americans secure in their persons and property.

This new project is just one example of IJ’s work to defend constitutional rights that your support would help make possible. And for a limited time, your gift will earn a dollar-for-dollar match. Please join IJ as a donor today.

Scott

Scott G. Bullock
President and General Counsel
Institute for Justice