Largest US Muslim Civil Rights Organization Suspends Florida Operations Over Controversial ‘Terrorist’ Designation Law

Largest US Muslim Civil Rights Organization Suspends Florida Operations Over Controversial ‘Terrorist’ Designation Law
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, has suspended its operations in Florida following the enforcement of a state law granting officials the authority to designate organizations as “terrorist organizations.”

The decision came after a federal judge rejected CAIR’s request to overturn Florida officials’ designation of the organization as a terrorist group. CAIR announced that it would appeal the ruling, describing the state’s actions as baseless and unconstitutional and warning that they threaten civil liberties and freedom of expression.

The legislation was signed in April 2026 by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. It authorizes the governor, the state’s chief of domestic security, and other cabinet officials to designate organizations they believe engage in extremist activities as terrorist organizations. Under the law, designated groups can face forced dissolution and a freeze on state funding. Students may also be expelled from educational institutions for promoting organizations classified as terrorist groups.

The legislation has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and PEN America. Both organizations have warned that the law could undermine freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and political expression by placing pressure on individuals and institutions to avoid expressing certain viewpoints.

In a statement published on its Florida website, CAIR said it had suspended its operations because of what it described as unconstitutional enforcement of the state’s new domestic terrorism laws. The organization also documents discrimination and hate incidents targeting Muslim Americans and has linked the rise in Islamophobia to government measures against immigrants and pro-Palestinian protests.

Meanwhile, Governor DeSantis and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier welcomed the court ruling and CAIR’s suspension of operations. DeSantis defended the legislation as a framework for combating extremism and ensuring accountability within the education system.

The development comes amid growing controversy in the United States over restrictions targeting pro-Palestinian organizations and activists. Civil rights advocates argue that some Republican officials are conflating support for Palestinian rights with extremism and treating criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories as antisemitism.