The passage of the USA Patriot Act included enhanced penalties for violent actions, increased surveillance and investigation options for the government, and greater powers for the detention or exclusion of foreign nationals. The provisions that limited money laundering were amongst the least controversial elements. The enhanced border security and immigration procedures were also accepted by many. Greater debate occurred over the search and surveillance techniques incorporated into the Patriot Act. The Act also expanded the definition of terrorism to make it include a broader range of activities and groups. The Patriot Act has generated legal challenges to many of its provisions. The Act also raises questions about the traditional role of the judiciary in protecting individual rights.      Keywords:    banking,  regulation,  civil liberties,  constitutional law,  government, politics, and law,  national security,  terrorism