Overview
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a Dec. 22 court response denying CAIR-Texas claims and urging dismissal based on lack of standing, sovereign immunity, non-ripeness, and the political-question doctrine.
- The filing argues no enforcement has been taken against the Dallas–Fort Worth or Austin chapters and contends Abbott’s proclamation applies only to CAIR’s national organization.
- CAIR’s Texas chapters and the national office reject that reading, calling the order sweeping and chilling to speech, and they vow to continue their federal challenge.
- Abbott’s Nov. 18 proclamation designates CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood under Texas law, prohibits them and affiliates from acquiring land in the state, and authorizes heightened enforcement.
- State officials cite an FBI agent’s description of CAIR as a Hamas-linked front and past Holy Land Foundation references, while noting similar actions in Florida and Abbott’s request for a federal tax-status review that has not produced a public decision.