ICAN Applauds Texas Designation of Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as Terrorist Organizations; Urges Other States to Follow
The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN) today issued the following statement regarding Governor Greg Abbott’s designation of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations.
Governor Abbott’s Action
On November 18, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation designating the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations. The designation authorizes heightened enforcement against both organizations and their affiliates and prohibits them from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas. The full proclamation is available at the Texas Governor’s Office website.
This action follows months of state investigations into the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) City project, which involved the Texas Rangers, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Securities Board, and multiple other state agencies. In May 2025, Governor Abbott signed legislation banning discriminatory religious compounds in Texas.
The designation builds on federal legislative momentum. Senator Ted Cruz introduced the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025 (S.2293) in July, joined by Senators Cotton, Boozman, Scott, Moody, and McCormick. Representatives Díaz-Balart and Moskowitz introduced companion legislation (H.R. 4397), while Representative Fine introduced H.R. 4097 specifically targeting CAIR. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in August that the administration is preparing federal designations of both organizations.
ICAN’s Analysis
ICAN supports Governor Abbott’s decision as a necessary and evidence-based response to documented threats facing American communities and the U.S.-Israel alliance.
The evidentiary basis for this designation is extensive. In the Holy Land Foundation trial—the largest terrorism financing prosecution in U.S. history—CAIR was identified as an associate of the Muslim Brotherhood and named an unindicted co-conspirator. Ghassan Elashi, a founding board member of CAIR’s Texas branch and Holy Land Foundation leader, is currently serving 65 years in federal prison for terrorism financing, including ten counts of providing material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations.
The FBI suspended all formal contacts with CAIR due to evidence of its relationship with Hamas. CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad publicly stated following the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre that he was “happy to see people breaking the siege” and asserted that “the people of Gaza have the right to self-defense” while denying Israel’s right to defend itself.
International precedent supports such designations. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, and Russia have already designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. The UAE specifically designated CAIR as a terrorist organization in 2014, citing its links to the Brotherhood and Hamas.
Governor Abbott’s action addresses a critical gap in America’s counterterrorism framework. While federal designation processes remain slow, anti-Israel organizations with documented terrorism connections have built extensive political infrastructure at state and local levels. ICAN’s research shows that organizations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood network have systematically targeted school districts, municipal governments, and state legislatures—the same political space where traditional pro-Israel advocacy has been largely absent.
This designation creates meaningful legal consequences. Texas law prohibits foreign terrorist organizations from acquiring real property interests, provides for heightened law enforcement scrutiny, and establishes clear boundaries for organizational operations within the state. These tools protect Texas residents while sending an unmistakable signal that states will not provide safe harbor to organizations with terrorism ties.
Call for Multi-State Action
ICAN urges governors in all fifty states to issue similar designations of the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations. State executives possess both the constitutional authority and the moral responsibility to protect their constituents from organizations that support terrorism, promote antisemitism, and undermine America’s closest democratic ally in the Middle East.
Priority states for immediate action include Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Washington, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia. These states have significant Jewish populations, strong pro-Israel constituencies, and documented Muslim Brotherhood network activities that warrant executive attention.
State-level action need not await federal designation. Governor Abbott has demonstrated that states can act independently based on existing federal evidence, international precedents, and state-specific investigations. Multi-state coordination would create a powerful deterrent effect and accelerate federal action.
ICAN stands ready to assist governors and state attorneys general who pursue similar designations. We can provide political intelligence on Muslim Brotherhood-linked organizational activities in specific states, model proclamation language, evidence packages documenting terrorism connections, and grassroots mobilization support from Israeli-American and pro-Israel communities.
The question facing state executives is straightforward: if America’s Middle Eastern allies have designated these organizations as terrorist entities, if federal courts have established their connections to terrorism financing, and if their leaders publicly praise violence against civilians, why should American states allow them to operate freely, acquire property, and build political influence?
Texas has shown that decisive state action is both legally sound and politically achievable. Other governors should follow this lead without delay.