Gov. Abbott Labels CAIR “Foreign Terrorist Organization,” Sparking Federal Lawsuit
In Austin, Texas, Governor Greg Abbott declared on November 18, 2025, that the civil rights group CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) along with the Muslim Brotherhood are “foreign terrorist organizations” under state law — a move that would ban them from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas, and authorize enhanced legal measures against them.
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The proclamation quickly triggered a legal challenge. Within days, CAIR’s Texas affiliates — backed by the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) — filed a federal lawsuit against Governor Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. They argued the designation is unconstitutional, defamatory, and violates federal law because only the U.S. government has authority to declare terror organizations under the Supremacy Clause, and the state’s move deprived CAIR of property and due-process protections.
CAIR’s lawyers say the proclamation rests on false allegations and selective references — notably pointing to a 2007 criminal case involving a separate charity, in which CAIR was named but never charged.
Community reaction in Texas — particularly in Houston-area suburbs — reflects widespread concern over civil rights, religious freedom, and chilling effects on civic engagement. Some Muslim residents and local leaders warn the move may sow fear and deepen social divisions, while others call it a politically motivated gesture ahead of upcoming elections.
As of now, CAIR remains federally recognized as a legal nonprofit; the U.S. State Department has not added it to the official list of terrorist organizations.
What happens next depends heavily on the federal court’s rulings. If the lawsuit succeeds, Abbott’s designation could be struck down — potentially setting a broader nationwide precedent on the limits of state powers to unilaterally label domestic civil-rights organizations as terrorists.