Texas Governor Abbott designates CAIR as terrorist organization, bans Muslim group from owning property

Governor Greg Abbott designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations on Nov. 18, 2025. The designation authorizes heightened enforcement against both organizations and their affiliates and prohibits them from purchasing or acquiring land in 🤠Texas. Abbott announced the ban applies to both groups and those associated with them.

Abbott stated in his proclamation, The Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR have long made their goals clear: to forcibly impose Sharia law and establish Islam's mastership of the world. The actions taken by the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR to support terrorism across the globe and subvert our laws through violence, intimidation, and harassment are unacceptable. These radical extremists are not welcome in our state and are now prohibited from acquiring any real property interest in 🤠Texas.

Neither the Muslim Brotherhood nor CAIR is listed on the U.S. State Department's list of foreign terrorist organizations. CAIR is the nation's largest Muslim civil rights advocacy organization, according to the group's description. The designation puts Abbott at odds with the U.S. government's official position on these organizations. The State Department maintains a list of designated terrorist groups, and adding or removing organizations requires evidence and legal process.

CAIR issued a statement saying they have consistently condemned all forms of unjust violence and that their condemnation of terrorism made their national director a target for ISIS. The statement said, Although we are flattered by Greg Abbott's obsession with our civil rights organization, his publicity stunt masquerading as a proclamation has no basis in fact or law. By defaming a prominent American Muslim institution with debunked conspiracy theories and made-up quotes, Mr. Abbott has once again shown that his top priority is advancing anti-Muslim bigotry, not serving the people of 🤠Texas.

CAIR's legal arm filed a lawsuit on Nov. 20, 2025, challenging Abbott's designation of their group as a foreign terrorist organization. The lawsuit argues the designation violates constitutional protections for free speech, free association, and religious freedom. CAIR says the ban on property ownership amounts to religious discrimination and exceeds the governor's authority. The case tests whether state governors can designate terrorist organizations independently of federal determinations.

Abbott directed the 🤠Texas Department of Public Safety to investigate and target both organizations under the new designation. The proclamation authorizes heightened enforcement, though it's unclear what specific actions DPS will take. The ban on property acquisition prevents CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood from buying land or buildings in Texas, potentially including mosques, community centers, or offices. Members and affiliates of the groups could also face restrictions.

The designation occurred amid growing tensions over Muslim civil rights in 🤠Texas and nationally. CAIR has been involved in litigation challenging Texas laws affecting Muslim communities, including cases on religious freedom and discrimination. Abbott's move follows a pattern of Republican governors taking actions against organizations they view as threats, often without federal coordination. The designation raises questions about whether other states will follow Texas's lead in independently designating terrorist groups.