Austin, Texas| In a bold and unprecedented move, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has officially designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations” and “transnational criminal organizations” under state law.
The proclamation, issued on November 18, 2025, immediately prohibits both entities – along with their affiliates – from purchasing or acquiring any real property interests in the Lone Star State, marking a significant escalation in Texas’ efforts to curb perceived foreign threats to national security and state sovereignty.
Governor Abbott’s action invokes recently enacted Texas legislation, including laws restricting land ownership by entities linked to terrorism or foreign adversaries.
“The Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR have long made their goals clear: to forcibly impose Sharia law and establish Islam’s ‘mastership of the world,’” Abbott stated in the official press release. “These radical extremists are not welcome in our state and are now prohibited from acquiring any real property interest in Texas.”
This designation empowers the Texas Attorney General to pursue legal action, including lawsuits to shut down affiliated operations and force divestiture of any existing properties, with potential civil penalties reaching up to 50% of a property’s market value.
Background on the Designated Organizations
The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt nearly a century ago by Hassan al-Banna, is described in the proclamation as a transnational Islamist movement with a history of promoting violent jihad and destabilizing governments.
Abbott cited historical statements from Brotherhood leaders advocating “fighting non-believers” and noted that several countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, have already banned or severely restricted the group.
While branches like Hamas (designated a terrorist organization by the U.S.) have engaged in violence, the broader Brotherhood operates politically in some regions and has renounced violence in others, according to its defenders.
CAIR, established in 1994 as America’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is labeled in the proclamation as a “successor organization” to the Muslim Brotherhood and a alleged front for Hamas.
The document references FBI findings from the 2007-2008 Holy Land Foundation terrorism-financing trial – the largest such case in U.S. history – where CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator with ties to Hamas support networks.
Several former CAIR officials have faced convictions or implications in terror-related cases, according to sources like the George Washington University’s Program on Extremism.
Neither the Muslim Brotherhood nor CAIR appears on the U.S. Department of State’s official list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
Federal designations, which carry nationwide consequences like asset freezes and material support prohibitions, can only be made by the Secretary of State in consultation with other agencies.
Legal Basis and State-Level Powers
Abbott’s proclamation relies on a suite of Texas laws passed in recent years, including:
- Senate Bill 17 and related measures tightening restrictions on land purchases by “foreign adversaries” or criminally affiliated entities.
- Provisions in the Texas Penal Code and Property Code allowing the governor to classify threats to state security.
- Earlier legislation opposing the enforcement of foreign laws (including Sharia) and banning exclusive “Sharia compounds” – a reference to controversies over Muslim-focused housing developments.
Supporters, including the bill’s author, State Rep. Cole Hefner (R), hailed the move: “Today proves exactly why that law was needed.” The designation enables “heightened enforcement” and could extend to investigating affiliations, though specifics on implementation remain unclear.
Fierce Backlash and Threats of Litigation
CAIR swiftly condemned the proclamation as “defamatory,” “baseless,” and a “publicity stunt” rooted in anti-Muslim bigotry.
In a strongly worded statement on X (formerly Twitter) and a formal letter to Abbott, the organization declared: “Greg Abbott is an Israel First politician who has spent months stoking anti-Muslim hysteria to smear American Muslims critical of the Israeli government.”
CAIR emphasized its independence, consistent condemnation of terrorism (including by groups like ISIS), and role as a civil rights advocate for American Muslims.
“Although we are flattered by Greg Abbott’s obsession with our civil rights organization, his defamatory proclamation has no basis in fact or law,” CAIR stated. “See you in court again, Greg… if you dare.”
The group has successfully sued Abbott’s administration multiple times in the past over First Amendment issues and vowed to challenge any enforcement actions.
Legal experts highlight potential vulnerabilities: States lack authority to make binding federal-style FTO designations, raising questions under the Supremacy Clause, free speech protections, and religious freedom guarantees.
Critics argue the move could chill Muslim community activities in Texas and invite discrimination claims.
Broader Context: Security, Sharia Concerns, and Political Tensions
This proclamation fits into Governor Abbott’s ongoing campaign against perceived Islamist influences in Texas.
Earlier in 2025, he opposed Muslim-focused residential projects, signed laws targeting “Sharia law enforcement,” and launched investigations into developments seen as potential enclaves.
The timing aligns with heightened national debates over the Israel-Hamas conflict, rising anti-Muslim incidents post-October 7, 2023, and calls from some Republicans – including Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn – for federal designation of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Proponents view the action as a proactive defense of Texas land and values against foreign extremism. Detractors see it as discriminatory overreach, fueled by conspiracy theories and political posturing ahead of Abbott’s reelection bid.
As of November 20, 2025, no immediate enforcement actions have been announced, but the proclamation takes effect statewide.
Legal battles appear inevitable, potentially testing the limits of state power in national security matters and reigniting debates over religious liberty in America.
This development underscores Texas’ aggressive stance on immigration, foreign influence, and cultural issues under Governor Abbott, positioning the state as a frontline in conservative efforts to counter Islamist networks – even as federal authorities have stopped short of similar designations.
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