[NOTE FOR FLORIDA RESIDENTS: This alert is specifically for Floridians. State lawmakers and Florida’s Congressional Delegation must hear directly from their constituents to counter Governor DeSantis’s unconstitutional and anti-Muslim executive order.]
Join the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), CAIR-Florida, and CAIR Action in calling on members of the Florida Legislature and the Florida Congressional Delegation to immediately and publicly reject Governor Ron DeSantis’s dangerous and unconstitutional Executive Order 25-244, which targets the Muslim community and falsely suggests that CAIR-Florida and other Muslim groups may be treated as “terrorist organizations.”
FLORIDIANS TAKE ACTION: CLICK HERE!
Who CAIR Is and Why the Attacks Are Baseless
CAIR is the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Since 1994, and through its Florida chapter for more than two decades, CAIR has defended constitutional rights, challenged discrimination, and partnered across faith and civic communities. CAIR is a mainstream American nonprofit with no ties to any foreign government or entity and has never been designated by the federal government as a terrorist organization.
The accusations in EO 25-244 distort CAIR’s work and echo long-debunked conspiracy theories used by anti-Muslim hate groups. The governor’s claims contradict CAIR’s decades of public service, legal advocacy, and cooperation with government agencies and civil rights partners.
Governor DeSantis’s EO misuses state terrorism statutes, gang laws, and “foreign country of concern” provisions to create an appearance of authority that does not exist. Under federal law, only the U.S. Secretary of State may designate Foreign Terrorist Organizations. A governor cannot create a terrorism designation recognized in federal criminal law, immigration law, or national security policy. EO 25-244 therefore has no legal standing under federal law and violates core constitutional protections for religious freedom, political advocacy, and due process.
While CAIR, CAIR-Florida, and allied groups prepare legal challenges, Floridians still need elected officials to speak out now. Silence only fuels the climate of anti-Muslim hysteria and increases the risk of real-world harm.
URGE FLORIDA LAWMAKERS TO DEFEND THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY
Floridians across the state are calling on lawmakers to:
- Publicly reject EO 25-244. A governor cannot designate American nonprofits as “terrorist organizations,” and no state order can override federal law or the First Amendment.
- Condemn the governor’s anti-Muslim bigotry and conspiracy theories, which have fueled discrimination and hate crimes for decades.
- Affirm CAIR-Florida’s right—and the right of all Muslim organizations—to operate without harassment or political retaliation.
- Reject rhetoric portraying Muslims as an internal enemy, language that has preceded mosque arsons and violent hate crimes.
- Stand publicly with Florida Muslim families, who deserve reassurance that their leaders will protect their rights and dignity.
- Support CAIR, CAIR-Florida, and allied groups challenging EO 25-244 in court, ensuring this abuse of power does not go unchecked.
WHY IT MATTERS
Governor DeSantis is attempting to weaponize state power against a religious minority – despite federal law making clear that terrorism designations are exclusively a federal authority. When officials single out a faith group using fabricated threats, history shows it leads to violence, surveillance, and widespread civil rights abuses.
The order also seeks to silence Floridians, particularly those speaking out against the Israeli genocide and demanding equal rights at home. Standing with CAIR and CAIR-Florida means standing for every American’s right to free speech, religious freedom, and equal protection under the law.
CAIR and CAIR-Florida will challenge this order in court. Now, Floridians must make their voices heard in the halls of power to protect the rights of all who call this state home.
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CONTACT: Hiba Rahim, CAIR-Florida Deputy Executive Director, (813) 705-5440, hrahim@cair.com; CAIR-Florida Communications Director Wilfredo A. Ruiz, (305)502-6749, wruiz@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com