ACLU alleges TSA violating Constitution

NEW YORK, June 20 (UPI) -- The Transportation Security Administration is violating the U.S. Constitution by conducting illegal searches, the American Civil Liberties Union alleges.

The ACLU said in a news release its lawsuit accuses the federal agency of subjecting travelers to illegal searches by TSA agents at airports throughout the United States.

"Airport searches are the most common encounters between Americans and law enforcement agents. That's why it is so important for TSA agents to do the job they were trained to do and not engage in fishing expeditions that do nothing to promote flight safety," Ben Wizner, ACLU National Security Project staff attorney, alleges.

CNN said the lawsuit was filed on behalf of Steve Bierfeldt, Campaign for Liberty's director of development, who was stopped for questioning by TSA agents at an Illinois airport in March.

Bierfeldt alleges the agents harassed him during the airport security stop, which was prompted by a metal cash box found in his carry-on bag.

The ACLU lawsuit was filed against Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, whose department supervises TSA operations.