Multiple Republican lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, are calling for the federal government to designate an Islamic non-profit as a foreign terrorist organization.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), self-described as “America’s largest Muslim civil liberties organization,” has already received similar designations in Texas and Florida.
During a recent U.S. Senate Judiciary hearing, Cruz highlighted that CAIR was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the 2008 Holy Land Foundation case and has since been designated as a terrorist organization by the state of Texas. “I am urging [Trump’s] administration to do the same,” Cruz said to FBI Director Kash Patel during the hearing.
“Focusing on threats and targeting them is the best way to keep America safe,” added Cruz.
Texas designated CAIR, along with the Muslim Brotherhood, a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) late last year. Florida designated the groups as terrorist organizations earlier this year.
A federal FTO designation would carry significantly greater weight.
If CAIR were to receive such a designation, anyone knowingly providing material support or resources to the organization would be committing a federal offense. Additionally, members and representatives of CAIR could face deportation if they are not U.S. citizens, and the organization’s financial assets could be blocked by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
In a video posted Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Randy Fine (R–FL) called CAIR’s claim of being a civil rights group “a lie,” adding that “they are not [a civil rights group]. They are a terrorist group. Make no mistake.”
Fine introduced a bill in 2025 that would direct the U.S. Secretary of State to review whether CAIR meets the criteria to be designated an FTO.
U.S. Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R–GA) agreed with Fine and Cruz, saying, “It’s something that needs to happen,” according to The Center Square.
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R–Austin) introduced a similar bill earlier this year that would direct the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury to list CAIR as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” which would give the federal government substantial control over the financial assets of the organization.
The calls come as Texas officials have expressed concern regarding the “Islamification” of Texas and the United States.
At the recent Republican Party midterm convention, Cruz warned of the “red-green alliance” between communists and Islamists taking over the Democrat Party. “They are united because they share the same enemies. They hate Christians. They hate Jews. They hate capitalism. They hate the Constitution, and they hate America,” said Cruz, using New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as an example.
In late August, Roy asked three federal agencies to investigate a planned Islamic community in Bexar County located 30 minutes from a military installation, citing “ties to nefarious groups, questionable funding sources, and faith leaders espousing violent and terroristic rhetoric” as areas of concern.
Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Keith Self (R–McKinney) asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate the Islamic Society of North America for 501(c)(3) violations due to alleged connections with terrorist groups and involvement with a candidate for the U.S. Senate.
CAIR and its Texas chapter have not responded to a request for comment on the calls for a federal FTO designation.
