Introduction to Intelligence Studies

Introduction to Intelligence Studies94

Law Enforcement Operations

Although the NSA primarily carries out SIGINT internationally, like the

CIA, it cannot spy upon American citizens. Domestic intelligence and

terrorism wiretaps are administered by the FBI. e Foreign Intelligence

Surveillance Act (FISA), passed in 1978, regulates how domestic SIGINT

operations can be carried out (see Chapter 10, “Constitutional Mandates—

Overview of Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Roles”). A federal judge

must approve all FISA wiretaps. However, unlike criminal wiretaps, which

are approved by judges in the judicial district where the overhears occur,

the FISA court is located in Washington, D.C. e judges possess a security

clearance, which allows them t