Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation labeling CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as "foreign terrorist organizations" under state law and restricting their ability to acquire land and receive certain benefits in Texas. Two Texas CAIR chapters filed a federal lawsuit arguing the proclamation exceeds state authority and violates constitutional protections. CAIR denies the accusations and plans to challenge the proclamation in court, while similar actions have been taken in Florida and at the federal level. Abbott said the measures are part of a wider security agenda that could include further border enforcement steps.
Texas Governor Orders Removal Of Groups He Labels Terrorist Organizations; CAIR Files Lawsuit
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott designated CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a proclamation labeling the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as "foreign terrorist organizations" and "transnational criminal organizations" under Texas law, and announced steps to bar them and affiliated entities from certain legal and financial benefits in the state.
What the Proclamation Does
Abbott said the designation prohibits CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood and their affiliates from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas and authorizes state agencies to take heightened enforcement measures, including legal action. The governor also requested that federal authorities consider suspending CAIR’s tax-exempt status.
Supporters of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood take part in a protest in the village of Sweimeh, near the Jordanian border with the occupied West Bank, on May 21, 2021.
Legal Challenge
Two Texas chapters of CAIR promptly filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The chapters allege the proclamation exceeds state authority, violates the U.S. Constitution and infringes on due process and other constitutional protections.
Responses And Accusations
"Any organization that supports terrorism, that harbors people who have provided material support for terrorism, is not allowed to exist in our state," Abbott said. "We will purge them from our state ... and they definitely should not be receiving tax-exempt status in our country."
CAIR has rejected Abbott’s characterization. Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR's deputy director, called the proclamation "lawless" in remarks to reporters and reiterated the group's long record of civil-rights advocacy and repeated public condemnations of terrorism. CAIR said it will pursue legal action to block Abbott’s proclamation.
Texas law enforcement patrols the border between the U.S. and Mexico.
Wider Political Context
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a similar order shortly afterward, barring CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood from state contracts and benefits. At the federal level, an executive order has been used to initiate a process for considering designations of some Muslim Brotherhood entities as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists.
Abbott’s Broader Agenda
Abbott framed the move as part of a larger security agenda. He signaled additional state-level measures tied to border security and enforcement could follow if he wins another term, arguing stricter vetting and enforcement are necessary to protect public safety.
Outlook
The dispute is likely to proceed through the federal courts, where CAIR's lawsuit will test the extent of a state governor’s authority to apply terrorism-related designations and related civil penalties. Legal experts will be watching whether state-level actions conflict with federal authority over foreign affairs and designation of terrorist organizations.
