The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton after Abbott issued a proclamation labeling the group a "foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organization." The complaint was filed in a U.S. district court in west Texas alongside the Muslim Legal Fund of America.
CAIR argues the proclamation — which imposes "heightened penalties" and bars members of the organization from purchasing land in Texas — violates its members' constitutional property and free speech rights. The group had warned earlier in the week that it would sue if Abbott attempted "to turn this publicity stunt into actual policy."
Disputed Allegations
Abbott's proclamation asserts that CAIR has "repeatedly employed, affiliated with, and supported individuals promoting terrorism-related activities," and labels CAIR a "successor organization" to the Muslim Brotherhood, a decades-old Islamist movement. CAIR rejects that characterization and denies the proclamation's claim that its executive director "publicly praised and supported Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack against Israel," saying the organization condemned that attack and others carried out by Hamas.
Lena Masri, CAIR Litigation Director and General Counsel, called the lawsuit "our first step towards defeating Governor Abbott again so that our nation protects free speech and due process for all Americans." She added, "No civil rights organizations are safe if a governor can baselessly and unilaterally declare any of them terrorist groups, ban them from buying land, and threaten them with closure."
Political and Legal Context
Republican officials have pressed for scrutiny of the organization: Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) asked the U.S. Treasury Department last month to examine CAIR's funding sources. CAIR has previously sued Gov. Abbott several times, winning three earlier cases that challenged his efforts to limit anti-Israel speech.
The new lawsuit asks the federal court to review and block enforcement of Abbott's proclamation while the legal challenge proceeds. A spokesperson for Abbott's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Names quoted and organizations referenced are included as sources cited within the lawsuit and public statements.
