Texas faith leaders and advocacy groups intensified pressure on Gov. Greg Abbott this week over his designation of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a terrorist group, calling for the proclamation to be rescinded. Abbott’s order names CAIR a “foreign terrorist organization” and “a transnational criminal organization,” though the designation does not carry federal authority. The announcement triggered a swift backlash and a lawsuit from CAIR, which argues the governor exceeded state power.
Muslim organizations held a Dallas news conference to reject the designation and to defend CAIR’s legal challenge. Mustaffa Carroll, executive director for CAIR Dallas Fort Worth, said, “The governor is attempting to punish the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization simply because he disagrees with its protected First Amendment rights to criticize a foreign state that is conducting genocide. This is not only contrary to the United States Constitution, but finds no support in any Texas law.” Carroll argued the proclamation violates constitutional protections and due-process standards.
Marium Uddin of the Muslim Legal Defense Fund defended CAIR’s record, stating, “You know that CAIR has condemned Hamas attacks. You know that CAIR has spent 31 years fighting terrorism and bigotry. You know that the terrorism boogeyman you invoke is nothing more than a tired, formulated playbook to stoke fear of Muslims.” Jewish Voice for Peace’s Deborah Armintor added interfaith support: “We stand steadfast in solidarity with our comrades in CAIR and in unwavering support in their lawsuit against Abbott’s false and unconstitutional proclamation.”
Democratic State Rep. Terry Meza echoed concerns, arguing the comments “are not just wrong, they’re dangerous. Making comments like this is dangerous to our Muslim community.” CAIR’s lawsuit claims the state cannot impose terrorism designations, which fall exclusively under federal jurisdiction. The governor’s proclamation also bars CAIR from purchasing land under a Texas statute targeting land buys linked to foreign adversaries. Abbott extended the designation to the Muslim Brotherhood, despite no federal classification for either group.
The lawsuit continues as courts weigh whether Texas exceeded its authority or acted within state powers to restrict organizations it views as direct threats.
