10 Questions People Are Asking About Abbott’s CAIR Ban

1. What exactly has Governor Abbott declared?

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as "foreign terrorist organizations" and "transnational criminal organizations." Abbott stated that this designation provides the state with the authority to attempt to shut these groups down. Crucially, the order explicitly bans these organizations from purchasing or acquiring land within Texas.

2. Who is CAIR and why are they being targeted?

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is one of the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy groups in the United States. They work to protect civil liberties, combat discrimination, and represent Muslim American interests. Importantly, CAIR is not designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. federal government—making Abbott's state-level declaration highly unusual and legally questionable.

3. Does Abbott have the authority to make this declaration?

That's unclear and highly disputed. CAIR responded to Abbott in a letter stating his announcement has no basis "in law or fact." Robert S. McCaw, CAIR's government affairs director, wrote: "You do not have the authority to unilaterally declare any Americans or American institutions terrorist groups, nor is there any basis to level this smear against our organization."

4. What legal justification is the Governor using? 

Abbott cited a state law signed earlier this year that prohibits "foreign adversaries" from purchasing land in Texas. By applying the "terrorist" and "criminal" labels to these groups, the Governor is attempting to trigger the enforcement mechanisms of this property law. Republican State Rep. Cole Hefner, who authored the bill, publicly praised the move as proof of why the legislation was necessary.

5. Is there a trigger that led to this declaration?

Absolutely. Months ago, Texas Republicans moved aggressively to block a Muslim-centered planned community near one of the state's largest mosques outside Dallas. Abbott and other GOP officials launched investigations into the development tied to the East Plano Islamic Center, claiming the group was trying to create a Muslim-exclusive community that would impose Islamic law. The community's representatives called misleading, dangerous, and without merit.

6. How has CAIR responded to the accusations?

CAIR fired back immediately with a strongly worded letter stating Abbott's announcement has no basis "in law or fact." The organization accused his office of dangerous fearmongering and religious discrimination. Their response emphasized that Abbott lacks the legal authority to make such declarations and that the characterization of their civil rights work as terrorism is both false and inflammatory.

7. What did federal investigators find when they looked into that community?

Nothing. Earlier this year, the Justice Department closed a federal civil rights investigation into the planned community without filing any charges or lawsuits. The fact that federal authorities found no legal violations makes Abbott's subsequent state-level actions even more controversial.

8. Why is the Muslim Brotherhood also included in this declaration?

The Muslim Brotherhood, established in Egypt nearly a century ago with branches worldwide, was added to Abbott's proclamation alongside CAIR. The organization's leaders say it renounced violence decades ago and now seeks to establish Islamic governance through elections and peaceful means. However, critics, including autocratic governments across the Middle East, view it as a threat.

9. How are Texas Republicans defending this move?

Republican state Rep. Cole Hefner, who authored the land purchase restriction law Abbott is citing, praised the governor's declaration on social media: "Today proves exactly why that law was needed." The argument from Texas GOP officials is that they're protecting the state from foreign influence and preventing land acquisition by groups they consider adversarial—though the legal foundation for applying this to American civil rights organizations remains contested.

10. Does the U.S. government support this designation?

No. Neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. federal government. CAIR is one of the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy groups in the country. Abbott’s proclamation is a unilateral state-level action that breaks with federal classification, raising immediate questions about its legal enforceability.