Muslim Legal Fund of America
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Website: MLFA.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Muslim Legal Fund of America Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging Governor Abbott’s Unlawful Designation of CAIR as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization”
Richardson, TX — November 20, 2025— Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), serving as lead counsel and joined by co-counsel from CAIR National’s Legal Defense Fund, has filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton for issuing a baseless proclamation labeling CAIR a “foreign terrorist organization” and “transnational criminal organization.”
The complaint, filed November 20th in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, seeks immediate declaratory and injunctive relief to halt enforcement of the Governor’s proclamation, which MLFA argues violates the U.S. Constitution and has no grounding in Texas or federal law.
Governor Abbott issued the proclamation without notice, evidence, or due process, enabling the Attorney General, Ken Paxton to infringe upon the property rights of CAIR’s Texas chapters and anyone associated with them.The move restricts their ability to operate, threatens their property rights, and chills the rights of countless Texans who rely on these nonprofit organizations for civil rights support.
“Governor Abbott’s proclamation is an unprecedented misuse of state power,” said Charles Swift, MLFA Criminal Defense Department Head and lead counsel. “The State cannot label a domestic nonprofit organization a ‘foreign terrorist organization’ for political reasons. That power belongs exclusively to the federal government, and only after a rigorous, evidence-based process. None of those standards were met here.”
The lawsuit outlines multiple constitutional violations, including:
- Federal preemption, as only the U.S. Secretary of State may designate foreign terrorist organizations.
- Due process violations, after giving no notice and no opportunity to respond before imposing severe penalties.
- First Amendment violations, including retaliation for protected political advocacy and attempts to silence a civil rights organization because state officials disagree with its views.
“For thirty years, CAIR and its chapters have stood for civil rights, dignity, and justice for American Muslims,” said Marium Uddin, MLFA’s Legal Director. “No amount of political theater changes that. What the Governor issued was not a lawful designation, it was a smear made without evidence, process, or authority. We’re seeking the Court’s protection to ensure these unconstitutional actions cannot stand.”
MLFA and CAIR National are asking the Court to declare the proclamation unlawful, block its enforcement, and reaffirm that advocacy organizations cannot be targeted or criminalized for their viewpoints or community service.
“This filing sends a clear message: no official can weaponize state power to punish political speech or to intimidate a minority community,” said Lena Masri, CAIR National’s Legal Director and co-counsel. “We will defend our chapters, our community, and the constitutional rights of every Texan.”
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Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) is a nonprofit organization that addresses unwarranted actions towards Muslims, such as immigration denials and detentions, targeted scrutiny of nonprofit work, prisoners denied religious accommodations, unjust prosecutions and unfair trials, and excessive sentences and cruel conditions for prisoners.
