Texas targets Muslim groups with terror label, raising free-speech alarms

AUSTIN, Texas (MNTV) — Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a sweeping proclamation designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as “foreign terrorist organizations” and “transnational criminal groups,” invoking Texas Penal and Texas Property Codes to justify the action.

The move marks the first time the state has applied these restrictions to either organization, escalating a long-running campaign by Islamophobic groups that have sought for years to link CAIR to the Muslim Brotherhood.

The proclamation immediately bars the groups and anyone associated with them from purchasing land in Texas, while granting the state attorney general broad authority to shut down their operations through injunctions, civil actions, and enhanced penalties.

The announcement constitutes one of the most aggressive state-level actions ever taken against a U.S.-based civil rights organization.

Neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood appears on the U.S. State Department’s federal terrorism list, making Abbott’s designation highly unusual and legally untested.

Constitutional scholars say the governor is entering dangerous territory, noting that terrorism designations fall exclusively under federal jurisdiction.

Under the Patriot Act and related statutes, states have no authority to label foreign entities as terrorist groups—especially when Washington has explicitly declined to do so.

Experts warn that a state cannot criminalize an organization the federal government recognizes as lawful, calling the move a potential violation of both the Supremacy Clause and the First Amendment.

Lawyers further caution that Texans could face civil or criminal penalties simply for donating to CAIR, volunteering with the group, or using its legal services.

CAIR routinely assists residents with cases related to workplace discrimination, school bullying, airline profiling, mosque vandalism, and hate crimes.

In announcing the order, Abbott accused both groups of supporting terrorism abroad and attempting to undermine American law, echoing conspiracy theories long circulated by far-right activists.

He pointed to restrictions on the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Austria, and the UAE as justification, although analysts note the U.S. government has repeatedly rejected pressure to label the group a terrorist organization.

The Muslim Brotherhood—an Egypt-based movement elected to power in 2012—was removed by the military and subsequently banned in Egypt and several Middle Eastern monarchies.

CAIR says the order relies on debunked claims

CAIR responded sharply, saying the proclamation relies on debunked claims and misrepresents its work. The organization noted that its condemnation of terrorism has been so consistent that ISIS has publicly threatened its leadership.

Founded in 1994, CAIR is the largest Muslim civil rights group in the United States and handles thousands of discrimination and civil rights cases annually.

Civil rights organizations nationwide expressed alarm, saying Texas is attempting to criminalize a major religious minority’s primary civil rights institution.

They argue the order violates the First Amendment protections of religion, speech, and association. The ACLU of Texas called the proclamation a direct attack on constitutional freedoms, warning that singling out Muslim groups may also violate the Equal Protection Clause.

Constitutional lawyers say Abbott’s decree is likely to be challenged on several grounds:

• Federal preemption— Terrorism designations fall under federal jurisdiction.
• First Amendment violations— Criminalizing advocacy and religious association is unconstitutional.
• Due process issues — A state cannot punish organizations without evidence or a court proceeding.
• Equal protection violations — Singling out Muslim groups could be discriminatory.
• Property-rights violations — Restricting land purchases based on political or religious identity is unconstitutional.

A similar property-restriction law passed in Florida in 2023 is already tied up in federal court and partially blocked.

Political backdrop: a climate of anti-Muslim rhetoric

Analysts say Abbott’s order comes against a backdrop of rising anti-Muslim political rhetoric nationwide. Several states have debated banning “foreign law,” a phrase often used to target Muslims despite having no connection to U.S. legal practice.

Texas passed a 2017 law prohibiting courts from enforcing “foreign laws,” which critics said was a symbolic attempt to stoke anti-Muslim sentiment.

The state has also passed multiple bills restricting land purchases by foreign nationals, mainly targeting Chinese, Iranian, Russian, and North Korean citizens. Abbott’s office says the new proclamation builds on those laws.

Legal scholars warn that the precedent could extend beyond Muslim civil rights groups. If the Texas governor can label a domestic advocacy group as a foreign terrorist organization, other states could target environmental groups, labor unions, pro-Palestinian organizations, or immigrant-rights groups.

CAIR says it is preparing a legal challenge. National civil rights groups are also reviewing the order and expected to join the litigation. The federal government has not yet commented.

Political analysts say the order may face immediate injunctions if challenged in federal court.

“This proclamation is on very shaky constitutional ground,” one analyst said. “It is likely to be blocked, and the state knows that.” But civil rights advocates say the damage is already being done.