CAIR Files Lawsuit Against Texas Governor Over ‘Unconstitutional’ Terror Label

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights organisation in the United States, has initiated a federal lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton following Abbott’s controversial declaration labeling CAIR’s Texas chapter as a “foreign terrorist organisation.” The legal action, filed jointly with the Muslim Legal Fund of America, seeks to block Abbott’s designation, contending that it is both “unconstitutional and defamatory.” CAIR’s General Counsel, Lena Masri, emphasized that the lawsuit represents an essential effort to protect civil liberties, free speech, and due process rights for all Americans.

CAIR, established in 1994, has chapters in most U.S. states and has consistently advocated for Muslim civil rights, often criticizing U.S. foreign policy, particularly its involvement in conflicts in the Middle East. The organisation has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which it has described as genocidal. Over the years, CAIR has faced scrutiny from various political figures, particularly those aligned with pro-Israel positions, for its advocacy and public statements.

The legal dispute emerged after Governor Abbott, a staunch supporter of Israel and a member of the Republican Party, unilaterally labeled both CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organisations” in a social media post on X (formerly Twitter). Abbott’s move prohibits the two organisations from acquiring or purchasing land in Texas and authorizes the state to take legal measures to shut down their activities. The designation, according to CAIR, is baseless and threatens the safety and operational freedom of civil rights organisations across Texas and potentially beyond.

CAIR argued that the governor’s actions could set a dangerous precedent, whereby state officials may unilaterally brand organisations as terrorist groups without due process. Masri stressed that if such powers are allowed to go unchecked, no civil rights organisation in the country would be secure. In her statement, she noted that the group has previously won three separate legal cases against Governor Abbott, defending its rights and successfully challenging attempts to penalize critics of the Israeli government. These prior victories involved claims that Abbott’s actions violated the First Amendment, specifically concerning free speech protections.

The federal lawsuit contends that Abbott’s designation is unconstitutional because it bypasses established legal procedures for classifying terrorist organisations, failing to provide due notice or opportunity for CAIR to contest the claims. Furthermore, the lawsuit highlights the defamatory nature of the designation, arguing that it falsely portrays a civil rights advocacy group as involved in terrorism, which could irreparably harm its reputation and hinder its operations.

Beyond legal technicalities, the case underscores broader political and social tensions. Governor Abbott has a well-documented history of targeting pro-Palestinian activists and organisations, including university students who have protested in support of Palestinian causes. The governor’s actions reflect a pattern of aligning state policies with specific foreign policy stances, particularly strong support for Israel. By designating CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organisations, Abbott aims to restrict their activities and limit their influence, particularly in Texas.

For CAIR, the lawsuit is more than a legal contest; it represents a defense of civil liberties, free speech, and the principles underpinning American democracy. The organisation maintains that designating a civil rights advocacy group as a terrorist entity without judicial oversight threatens not only Muslim communities but all advocacy and rights organisations. Lena Masri described the filing as a critical step toward “defeating Governor Abbott again” and ensuring that due process protections remain intact for all Americans.

The lawsuit also carries symbolic weight, signaling to other civil rights and minority advocacy groups that attempts to suppress dissent through politically motivated legal actions will be challenged. CAIR’s attorneys argue that state officials should not wield unilateral power to impose restrictive labels that can jeopardize organisational survival, property ownership, and community engagement. The case is expected to draw significant attention both nationally and internationally, as it intersects issues of civil rights, constitutional law, and the intersection of domestic governance with foreign policy interests.

In summary, CAIR’s federal lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton challenges the designation of CAIR’s Texas chapter as a “foreign terrorist organisation.” The case highlights constitutional concerns, defamation claims, and the potential chilling effects on civil rights advocacy. CAIR, with support from the Muslim Legal Fund of America, emphasizes defending free speech, due process, and civil liberties, while contesting what it views as politically motivated actions targeting Muslim communities and pro-Palestinian advocacy. The outcome of the lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for civil rights organisations and the legal boundaries of state authority in the United States.