Coin Center Researcher Criticizes DHS Unit Over Use of Financial Records

A Coin Center researcher criticized a U.S. Department of Homeland Security border patrol intelligence unit for allegedly using Financial Crimes Enforcement Network records to collect Americans' financial transaction data and pass leads on potential criminal suspects to local law enforcement. According to Odaily, Laz Pieper said the practice violates the Fourth Amendment and called on Congress to direct the Government Accountability Office to independently audit DHS data sources, targeting standards, and error rates. Pieper also said federal agencies should be required to obtain judicial authorization before using sensitive financial records.