Designate CAIR as a Terrorist Organization Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4097

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-24: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-04-30T08:07:02Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, titled the "Designate CAIR as a Terrorist Organization Act," aims to require a formal review of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a U.S.-based civil rights and advocacy organization for Muslims, to determine if it qualifies as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) under existing U.S. law. The review is prompted by allegations of CAIR's ties to terrorist groups, and the bill seeks to ensure the U.S. government assesses these connections.

Key Provisions

• Short Title (Section 1): The act is officially named the "Designate CAIR as a Terrorist Organization Act."
• Findings (Section 2): The bill lists 18 specific findings alleging CAIR's problematic history, including:
• Being named an unindicted co-conspirator (a party accused but not formally charged) in the 2007 Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing trial, the largest such case in U.S. history.
• Connections to Hamas (a U.S.-designated FTO responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel) and other groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
• Instances of CAIR leaders or affiliates being convicted of crimes such as providing material support to terrorists, money laundering, fraud, and violating sanctions (e.g., Ghassan Elashi sentenced to 65 years, Randall Todd Royer to 20 years).
• Funding links to organizations like the Holy Land Foundation, designated as a global terrorist by the U.S. Treasury.
• Public statements and events supporting terrorist groups, such as a 2000 rally endorsing Hamas and Hezbollah, and recent comments by CAIR's executive director praising the October 7, 2023, events.
• Designations or warnings from U.S. allies (e.g., the United Arab Emirates labeled CAIR a terrorist group in 2014) and U.S. agencies (e.g., FBI suspended formal contacts with CAIR).
• State-level actions, like resolutions in Florida and Arizona advising against engaging with CAIR.
• Review Requirement (Section 3): Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Attorney General and Secretary of the Treasury, must:
• Conduct a formal review of CAIR under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189), which defines FTO criteria (e.g., engaging in terrorist activity that threatens U.S. security, nationals, or foreign policy).
• Submit a report to Congress summarizing the review, including any FTO designation or an explanation if CAIR does not meet the criteria.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill does not amend or alter existing laws, such as the Immigration and Nationality Act's FTO designation process. Instead, it mandates a targeted application of that process to CAIR, compelling executive branch agencies to perform and report on a specific review that might otherwise not occur.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The State Department, Department of Justice, and Treasury would need to allocate resources for the 90-day review and congressional report. An FTO designation could restrict federal interactions with CAIR, similar to the FBI's existing suspension of contacts, and limit CAIR's access to government funding or partnerships.
• On Citizens: If designated as an FTO, CAIR's operations could be curtailed, affecting its advocacy for Muslim civil rights, such as anti-discrimination efforts. This might impact Muslim Americans' access to a major advocacy group, potentially leading to reduced community outreach or legal support services.
• On International Relations: The review could strengthen U.S. alignment with allies like Israel and the United Arab Emirates by addressing shared concerns about terrorism financing and support. It might strain relations with groups or nations viewing CAIR as a legitimate civil rights organization, but the bill's focus on Hamas ties could bolster U.S. counterterrorism credibility in the Middle East.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR): Directly targeted; a designation would severely limit its activities, funding, and reputation.
• U.S. Government Agencies: State Department (leads review), Department of Justice (provides legal input), Treasury (assesses financial ties), and Congress (receives report).
• Muslim American Communities: Reliant on CAIR for civil rights advocacy; changes could affect representation and support services.
• Counterterrorism and Law Enforcement Entities: FBI and other agencies might gain tools to monitor or restrict CAIR if designated, building on prior actions.
• U.S. Allies (e.g., Israel, UAE): Could benefit from reinforced U.S. stance against groups like Hamas.
• Broader Advocacy Groups: Other civil rights organizations might face increased scrutiny or altered engagement with government.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Relies on the established FTO framework, which allows asset freezes, travel bans, and material support prohibitions for designated groups. CAIR could challenge a designation in court, arguing lack of evidence or procedural flaws, potentially leading to litigation over free association rights.
• Constitutional Implications: As a domestic organization, designating CAIR as an FTO might raise First Amendment concerns (protecting speech and assembly), especially if based on past associations rather than current activities. Courts would evaluate if the designation is narrowly tailored to national security without unduly restricting legitimate advocacy.
• Political Implications: The bill highlights partisan debates on terrorism, Islamophobia, and civil liberties, with findings emphasizing threats from Hamas and allies. It could polarize discussions on U.S. Muslim organizations, influencing future legislation on foreign influence or domestic extremism, while underscoring tensions in U.S.-Israel relations post-October 7, 2023.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6]

Cosponsors (7)

Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-24: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-06-24: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Designate CAIR as a Terrorist Organization Act — issued 2025-06-24 — PDF (8 pages)