CAIR has filed a federal lawsuit asking a judge to overturn Gov. Greg Abbott’s proclamation that labeled the group a “foreign terrorist organization” and a “transnational criminal organization.” The Dallas–Fort Worth and Austin chapters argue the declaration violates the U.S. Constitution and Texas law and point out that neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. The proclamation also bars CAIR from acquiring land in Texas; the dispute follows earlier state efforts to block a Muslim-centered planned community that drew a closed DOJ inquiry.
CAIR Sues Texas After Abbott Labels It a "Foreign Terrorist Organization"
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s proclamation that labeled the organization a “foreign terrorist organization” and a “transnational criminal organization.” The Dallas–Fort Worth and Austin chapters asked a federal judge to set aside the proclamation, saying it violates the U.S. Constitution and state law.
In its complaint, CAIR says the proclamation is an effort to punish the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization “simply because Governor Abbott disagrees with its views,” and that the declaration is unsupported by Texas law. The governor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The proclamation also named the Muslim Brotherhood. CAIR’s filing notes that neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
Among other effects, Abbott’s declaration bars CAIR from purchasing or acquiring real property in Texas, citing a law the governor signed earlier this year aimed at restricting certain transactions involving what the state calls “foreign adversaries.” The lawsuit contends the proclamation relies on “inflammatory statements that have no basis in fact” and selectively quotes individuals tied to the group to portray CAIR as endorsing terrorism.
The legal challenge comes amid broader controversy over a proposed Muslim-centered planned community near a major Dallas-area mosque. State Republicans earlier pressed efforts to block the development tied to the East Plano Islamic Center, saying the project could create an enclave that would impose Islamic law. Representatives of the planned community, known as EPIC City, called those claims misleading and without merit.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice closed a federal civil rights probe into the planned community without filing charges or a lawsuit. The outcome of CAIR’s suit could determine whether a governor can use a proclamation to impose civil penalties and property restrictions on an advocacy organization under state law.
Key facts: CAIR was founded in 1994 and operates about 25 chapters nationwide; the lawsuit says CAIR has eight employees and two independent contractors in Texas.
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