The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that it sent a letter to the Iowa State Legislature vehemently opposing House File 115 (the so-called “Combatting Terrorist Sympathizers Act”). In its letter, CAIR’s Director of Government Affairs Robert S. McCaw condemns the legislation as a “dishonest, overbroad, and unenforceable measure” that would “unconstitutionally threaten freedom of speech for all students, faculty, and community members who exercise their right to peacefully protest.”
House File 115 reportedly builds on President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders targeting non-immigrant student protesters. CAIR’s letter warns that the bill could be used to “unfairly conflate legitimate human rights advocacy with terrorism, thereby creating a dangerous chilling effect that curtails free expression on campus.”
READ CAIR’S LETTER: CLICK HERE
SEE: Iowa bill targets international students who participate in pro-Palestine protests
CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert S. McCaw said in a statement:
“This bill is a blatant attempt to suppress pro-Palestinian advocacy under the guise of national security. Peaceful protest is not terrorism, and Iowa lawmakers must reject this unconstitutional attack on free speech. If acted on against student or faculty protesters, HF 115 would face immediate legal challenges and fail in the courts, just as similar attempts to criminalize peaceful pro-Palestinian human rights advocacy have in the past.
“CAIR urges Iowa lawmakers to stand against this dangerous bill and uphold the constitutional rights of all students, faculty, and community members to engage in peaceful advocacy without fear of government retaliation.”
CAIR’s letter outlined the following concerns:
- Threat to Free Speech and Academic Freedom: CAIR argues that under the guise of combating “terrorist sympathizers,” HF 115 sweeps too broadly, putting all students and faculty at risk for disciplinary action simply for engaging in lawful, nonviolent speech critical of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians.
- Vast Majority of Demonstrators Are U.S. Citizens and Peaceful: The letter notes that anti-genocide demonstrations over the past year—many of them led by diverse groups of Christians, Jews, Muslims, and others—have been overwhelmingly peaceful and part of America’s long history of social justice activism, akin to the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War protests, and anti-Iraq War efforts.
- Constitutional Concerns: CAIR emphasizes that political speech on matters of foreign policy and human rights enjoys the highest protection under the First Amendment, making any punishment for peaceful advocacy constitutionally indefensible.
- Legal Vulnerability: Citing the likelihood of immediate legal challenges, CAIR warns that Iowa’s colleges and universities could face “costly and time-consuming litigation” if they attempt to enforce the bill against students or faculty engaging in protected speech.
- Impact on Campus Climate: The group insists that HF 115 would undermine the educational missions of Iowa’s institutions, chilling the very open dialogue and exchange of ideas upon which higher education depends.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]