What is the purpose of the USA Patriot Act?

The USA Patriot Act was enacted primarily to identify and prevent acts of terrorism in the United States. Its main purpose is to enhance the government’s ability to detect and deter terrorist activities, both domestic and international. The legislation includes various provisions designed to strengthen surveillance capabilities, improve information sharing among government agencies, and expand the means to track financial transactions that may be associated with terrorism financing. This focus on counterterrorism is why the answer emphasizes the detection and deterrence of terrorism, aligning with the act's primary objectives.