This can be seen in a variety of forms, including military violence, settler colonialism, surveillance, immigration law, and other tactics used to express authority over a certain group.
[5] The passing of the Patriot Act (2001) and the subsequent formation of the Department of Homeland Security expanded the definition (status) of individuals deemed worthy for detention.
[6] The involvement of the state in law enforcement is frequently linked to the perpetration of violent behaviors, both on a systemic and personal level.
[3] Instances of such behaviors can range from the application of police force by officers, to extended periods of pretrial detention, excessively long prison sentences, and insufficient care provided to those who are incarcerated.
Police officers tend to use excessive force more frequently in low-income neighborhoods that are predominantly inhabited by people of color.
Several factors influence the use of force, including gender, social status, and actual or perceived involvement in criminal activity.
[9][10] During the 18th and 19th centuries, the United States advanced their settler colonial project with forced conversion, residential schools, and displacement of various indigenous communities.
In 2008, U.S. Congress passed the FISA Amendment Act that gave government agencies, such as the NSA, unfettered access to private communications of foreigners.
[15] Section 702 of the FISA Amendment Act allows for government agencies to collect information from private companies like AT&T, Google, and Facebook to target non- U.S. citizens.
The misuse of surveillance to target civilians can amplify existing power imbalances and reinforce state violence.