Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that he is officially designating two Islamic organizations—the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)—as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations, barring them and their affiliates from purchasing land anywhere in Texas, according to an official statement from the governor’s office. This unilateral designation, made on November 18, 2025, immediately prohibits the organizations and individuals associated with them from acquiring any real property interests in the state, with Abbott claiming the move is part of a broader crackdown on organizations he accuses of “supporting terrorism” and “subverting Texas laws through harassment, intimidation, and violence”.
Governor Cites Power Under New Texas Law
The Governor based his proclamation on new legislative powers he received earlier this year through legislation that blocks foreign entities and individuals who pose security threats and have ties to designated countries from buying Texas land. The law includes provisions that block foreign entities with ties to China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from acquiring land in Texas. The ban, according to Abbott’s office, will enhance state security by blocking hostile actors from obtaining control of vital properties.
CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood Push Back
The U.S. State Department fails to recognize the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as terrorist organizations, while the national CAIR organization immediately denounced Abbott’s decision. The CAIR organization issued a statement labeling Abbott’s proclamation a publicity stunt that lacked factual evidence and legal authority. The organization stated that Abbott uses his position to promote Muslim bigotry instead of working for Texas residents through his false accusations against CAIR. The organization demonstrated its commitment to fighting terrorism through public statements, which made its leaders vulnerable to ISIS attacks. The Texas branch of CAIR, which works to defend civil rights, build interfaith relations, and support American Muslims, will fight the proclamation through legal channels if it becomes an official policy.
“Although we are flattered by Greg Abbott’s obsession with our civil rights organization, his publicity stunt masquerading as a proclamation has no basis in fact or law.”
— CAIR national statement, cited by The Texas Tribune
Criticism and Constitutional Concerns
Civil rights defenders and legal experts responded immediately to Abbott’s declaration, analyzing its legal implications and constitutional impact. Texas State Representative Ron Reynolds described Abbott’s declaration as “state-sanctioned discrimination” because it duplicated segregationist methods. The government’s implementation of power to establish religious separation and restrict property rights and create terror among peaceful residents will trigger America’s darkest historical time, according to Reynolds, as CBS Austin reports.
Multiple organizations across the United States have stated that current property restrictions are still under judicial review. The Florida court system is examining a foreign entity’s land-acquisition ban, while experts predict Texas will face constitutional challenges to its new regulations. The Texas property law, Senate Bill 17, which became effective on September 1, 2025, allows the governor to prevent land transactions with citizens and organizations from specific nations, including China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. The governor retains the power to expand the list of restricted countries and organizations through this law.
Broader Context and Policy Trajectory
The Abbott announcement occurs amid a national discussion about religious freedom, property rights, and security protocols in Texas and the United States. The previous controversies emerged when Muslim-majority communities introduced development plans while Texas state officials explored security-based property restrictions against particular groups. The legal community expects state bans against non-federally designated terrorist organizations will violate both religious freedom and equal protection guarantees found in the U.S. Constitution.
“This feels and looks like Jim Crow all over again... We are repeating one of the darkest chapters in American history.”
— Texas State Rep. Ron Reynolds, CBS Austin
Legal and Political Fallout
The first effect of Abbott’s proclamation has remained mostly ceremonial because the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR do not possess substantial landholdings in Texas. The policy creates a new standard for executive authority to target religious groups, while it indicates Texas will continue its intense political fight about immigration, faith, and security matters. The legal battle between CAIR and Texas will proceed to court, potentially impacting property rights and religious liberties across America.
The Florida legal process follows a similar pattern because the state has been granted permission to enforce its ban until the court finishes hearing the case. The Texas legal process will determine the extent to which states can restrict property ownership through organizational or religious affiliation-based restrictions.