A prominent Muslim civil rights organization is suing Texas Governor Greg Abbott over his designation of the group as a “foreign terrorist organization,” claiming it violates constitutional rights.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s recent designation of the organization as a “foreign terrorist organization” and a “transnational criminal organization.” The lawsuit, submitted by CAIR’s Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin chapters, seeks to overturn Abbott’s proclamation issued earlier this week.
In its lawsuit, CAIR argues that Abbott’s actions infringe upon both the U.S. Constitution and Texas state law. “This attempt to punish the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization simply because Governor Abbott disagrees with its views is not only contrary to the United States Constitution, but finds no support in any Texas law,” the group stated.
Founded in 1994, CAIR operates 25 chapters across the United States, with a small staff of eight employees and two contractors in Texas, as noted in the legal filing. The lawsuit comes in the wake of Abbott’s order, which not only labeled CAIR as a terrorist organization but also extended the same designation to the Muslim Brotherhood. Notably, federal authorities have never classified either group in this manner.
Abbott’s decree also imposes restrictions on CAIR’s ability to purchase land in Texas, citing a new statute aimed at curbing transactions linked to “foreign adversaries.” CAIR contends that Abbott’s designation is based on “inflammatory statements with no basis in fact,” selectively citing remarks from affiliates to portray the organization as sympathetic to terrorism.
CAIR-Texas expressed its commitment to defending constitutional rights in a statement, asserting, “CAIR-Texas and the Texas Muslim community are standing up for our constitutional rights by directly confronting Greg Abbott’s lawless attack on our civil rights.” The organization emphasized that it will not be intimidated by what it describes as smear campaigns from politicians who prioritize foreign interests over American values.
CAIR Litigation Director and General Counsel Lena Masri commented on the lawsuit, stating, “The lawsuit we have filed today is our first step towards defeating Governor Abbott again so that our nation protects free speech and due process for all Americans.” She further emphasized that no civil rights organization is safe if a governor can unilaterally label them as terrorist groups, restrict their activities, and threaten their existence.
The Muslim Legal Fund of America has also expressed support for CAIR-Texas, asserting the importance of defending constitutional rights. Attorney Charlie Swift stated, “Mr. Abbott’s unconstitutional proclamation undermines the very foundational notions of due process that our system depends upon and it must not stand.” He called for a collective effort to defeat what he described as Abbott’s latest attack on American freedoms.
This legal challenge comes amid a broader context of scrutiny faced by Muslim organizations in Texas. Earlier this year, Texas Republicans attempted to halt the development of a Muslim-centered community near one of the state’s largest mosques, the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC). Officials claimed that the project aimed to create a Muslim-exclusive community governed by Islamic law, allegations that EPIC representatives have called misleading and dangerous. The U.S. Justice Department ultimately closed its federal civil rights investigation into the planned community without filing any charges or lawsuits.
The outcome of CAIR’s lawsuit against Governor Abbott could have significant implications for civil rights and free speech protections in Texas and beyond. As the legal proceedings unfold, the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for justice and equality.
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