The most important feature of the new inspector general will be the crosscutting scope of the authority of this office. Unlike the existing inspectors general of various departments. this new IG will have oversight authority for many different agencies. The new IG will review the counterterrorism activities of agencies as diverse as the Immigration and Naturalization Service. the Federal Bureau of Investigation. and the Bureau of Alcohol. Tobacco and Firearms. In short. this new inspector general will have the authority not simply to review the actions of a Department. but to watch the counterterrorism activities of all agencies. to assure their adherence to the Constitution and their full respect for constitutional rights. Besides the power to review. the new inspector general would have the power to act. in two significant ways. First. agencies would be required to keep this new inspector general informed of requests for judicial or administrative authorization for searches wiretaps. and similar surveillance activities. The new inspector general would be kept similarly informed about deportation actions related to the right against terrorism. In connection with all these proceedings. the new inspector general could make suggestions. or oppose the requested authorizations. to the extent appropriate in order to protect constitutional rights. Second. the new IG would receive public complaints about alleged or potential violations of constitutional rights.
Keywords matched
Naturalization deportation Immigration