A federal judge expressed "serious" doubts last week about the way the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is using an administrative rule, written to combat terrorism, against sex offenders.
The rule is "wooden," it produces cases that are based on "quicksand" and it "may be an abuse" of civil rights, U.S. District Judge Faith Hochberg suggested to the U.S. Attorney's Office from the bench.
The rule has come up in at least six cases in New Jersey and dozens more around the nation, according to attorneys on both sides. The suits charge that programs implemented to guard national security are being used on everyday criminals.
Details here from the New Jersey Law Journal.