Fact Check: Congress Considers Designating CAIR as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
What We Know
The claim that Congress is considering designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) stems from the introduction of H.R. 4097 in the 119th Congress. This bill, introduced on June 24, 2025, directs the Secretary of State to review whether CAIR meets the criteria for designation as an FTO (GovTrack). The criteria for such a designation include engaging in terrorist activity or retaining the capability and intent to engage in terrorism, which must threaten U.S. national security (State Department).
The process for designating an organization as an FTO is governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which requires a detailed administrative record to be prepared, followed by a consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury before the Secretary of State makes a final decision (State Department).
Analysis
The introduction of H.R. 4097 indicates that there is an official legislative effort to evaluate CAIR's activities in relation to the criteria set forth for FTO designation. However, it is crucial to note that the bill is still in its early stages and has a low probability of passing; it has only a 4% chance of getting past committee and a mere 1% chance of being enacted (GovTrack).
The reliability of the sources discussing this claim varies. The bill's text and legislative history are sourced from official government platforms, which generally provide accurate and unbiased information. However, discussions surrounding CAIR often involve significant political and ideological biases, particularly from critics who may label the organization without substantial evidence of terrorist activity.
While the bill's introduction suggests a serious consideration of CAIR's designation, the actual process involves multiple steps and checks, including a review period where Congress can respond to the Secretary of State's intent to designate (State Department). This means that while the claim has a basis in current legislative activity, it does not indicate an imminent designation.
Conclusion
The claim that Congress is considering designating CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization is Partially True. While there is indeed a legislative effort underway to review CAIR's status, the bill is still in the early stages and faces significant hurdles before any designation could occur. The process for such a designation is complex and involves multiple levels of scrutiny, making it premature to assert that CAIR will be designated as an FTO at this time.
