Final answer:
The specific sections of the U.S. PATRIOT Act most likely to infringe on civil rights are not given, but sections like 215 and 201/202, which expand the government's surveillance powers, are controversial and have been considered infringing upon privacy rights and civil liberties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The portions of the U.S. PATRIOT Act that were most likely to infringe on the civil rights of American citizens are not specifically listed in the question's options (A, B, C, D). However, the Act as a whole has been a source of concern for civil liberties advocates. Controversial sections such as 215, which allowed for the collection of tangible things including books, records, papers, and other items for investigations to protect against international terrorism, have been seen as infringing on privacy rights and civil liberties. Similarly, Sections 201 and 202, which expanded authorities related to intercepting wire, oral, and electronic communications, might also be considered as likely to infringe upon citizens' rights.
Section 215 and others like it permitted the government to have broad access to personal data which in turn raised questions about the legality and morality of such surveillance. This has made Americans consider the delicate balance between security and personal freedoms, especially in light of concerns about government overreach and the potential for abuse.
The conversations about privacy and surveillance, as well as the pushback against laws like the PATRIOT Act, reflect broader concerns about protecting civil liberties while ensuring national security. In this context, landmark cases such as Carpenter v. United States (2018) are also noteworthy, where the Supreme Court reinforced the need for a warrant to access phone location data under the Fourth Amendment, shaping the ongoing discourse on privacy rights.