New federal surveillance meant to combat cartels and drug traffickers is far more likely to hit everyone else, and to be largely ineffective in fighting crime.
More than 1 million Californians and Texans are about to face a new level of financial surveillance from the federal government. Although cash transactions over $10,000 have long been reported under current law, now many transactions of as little as $200 will have to be reported in 30 ZIP Codes along the border with Mexico. Financial surveillance in the United States has needed reform, but this policy marks little more than another intrusion into the lives of Americans.
36·9 days ago