Texas Governor Declares CAIR a 'Foreign Terrorist Organization,' Prompting Legal Backlash

AUSTIN, Texas - In an unprecedented move, Texas Governor Greg Abbott on November 18, 2025, designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights organization—as a "foreign terrorist organization" and "transnational criminal organization" under state law. The proclamation, which also targets the Muslim Brotherhood, prohibits the groups from purchasing or acquiring property in Texas and authorizes the state attorney general to pursue legal action to dismantle their operations within the state. Abbott cited alleged ties to Hamas and efforts to impose Sharia law as justification, but CAIR swiftly denounced the declaration as baseless, defamatory, and unconstitutional, threatening immediate litigation.

The action marks the first time a U.S. state leader has unilaterally labeled a domestic civil rights group in this manner, escalating long-standing tensions over CAIR's advocacy work amid heightened national scrutiny of Muslim organizations following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. While Abbott's office frames the designation as a necessary step to protect public safety, critics, including civil liberties advocates, argue it infringes on First Amendment rights and stokes anti-Muslim sentiment without evidence.

The Proclamation: Scope and Stated Rationale

Abbott's executive proclamation invokes Texas Penal Code § 71.01(e) and Texas Property Code § 5.254(a)(2)(A), subjecting CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood to asset forfeiture, criminal penalties, and real estate restrictions. In a statement, the governor accused the groups of "supporting terrorism across the globe and subverting our laws through violence, intimidation, and harassment," specifically linking CAIR to Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist entity—based on historical associations from the 1990s. He further claimed CAIR seeks to "forcibly impose Sharia law and establish Islam’s mastership of the world," though no specific evidence was provided in the announcement.

The measure empowers the Texas Department of Public Safety to initiate criminal investigations into CAIR's activities and affiliates, potentially leading to shutdowns of chapters or partnerships in the state. Abbott called on other governors to follow suit, positioning the action as part of Texas' broader "America First" stance on security.

This comes amid federal inaction: While Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reintroduced the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act in July 2025, it remains pending in Congress, and neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood is federally designated as a terrorist group. Under federal law (Immigration and Nationality Act), only the U.S. Secretary of State can make such designations after interagency review.

CAIR's Response: 'Publicity Stunt' with No Legal Basis

CAIR, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit founded in 1994, rejected the label in a strongly worded letter from Robert S. McCaw, its director of government affairs. "You do not have the authority to unilaterally declare any Americans or American institutions terrorist groups, nor is there any basis to level this smear against our organization," McCaw wrote, accusing Abbott of "stoking anti-Muslim hysteria" in retaliation for CAIR's criticism of Israeli policies and prior lawsuits against the governor.

The group, which has chapters in over 30 states including Texas, described the proclamation as a "publicity stunt masquerading as policy" rooted in debunked conspiracy theories. CAIR has successfully sued Abbott three times in recent years over alleged First Amendment violations related to anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) laws and restrictions on pro-Palestinian speech, securing settlements each time. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), CAIR added: "Although we are flattered by Greg Abbott’s obsession with our civil rights organization... this has no basis in fact or law, nor can it stop our civil rights work."

CAIR's Texas chapter, which provides legal aid, voter education, and anti-discrimination services to over 100,000 Muslims in the state, vowed to continue operations while preparing a federal lawsuit challenging the designation's legality.

Broader Reactions: Support from Conservatives, Condemnation from Rights Groups

The announcement drew sharp divides. Conservative supporters, including Sen. Cruz, praised it as a "bold step" against "radical extremists," with posts on X hailing Abbott for doing "what the federal government refuses to do." Texas GOP figures like House Republican Leader Brian King echoed this, arguing the move protects Texans from "foreign influence."

Civil rights organizations condemned it as discriminatory. The ACLU of Texas called it "a dangerous escalation of anti-Muslim rhetoric" that could chill free speech and lead to wrongful surveillance. The Anti-Defamation League, while not directly addressing CAIR, expressed concerns over state-level designations bypassing federal processes. On X, users like NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani invited Texas Muslims to relocate, labeling the action "rooted in Islamophobia."

The timing ties to recent controversies, including Abbott's investigations into a Muslim-planned community near Dallas, accused of promoting Sharia law—a claim the developers deny. Nationally, similar scrutiny has intensified since the Israel-Hamas conflict, with CAIR facing congressional probes over alleged Hamas links, which it attributes to its advocacy for Palestinian rights.

Legal and Practical Implications

Legal experts question the proclamation's enforceability. While Texas law allows governors to designate threats for state purposes, it lacks the federal powers of asset freezes or immigration penalties. CAIR's threatened suit could argue violations of due process and equal protection, potentially reaching the Fifth Circuit or Supreme Court. In the interim, the group faces operational hurdles, such as barred land transactions and heightened scrutiny of donations or events.

For Texas' 500,000-plus Muslims, the move has raised fears of profiling, though Abbott's office insists it targets only the organizations, not individuals. As one X user noted amid the backlash, "Abbott's nuclear option on CAIR, state bans land buys, cracks down on networks."

This declaration, the first of its kind at the state level, could inspire similar actions elsewhere or spark a wave of challenges, further polarizing debates over civil rights and national security in an election year.