Florida Labels CAIR Domestic Terror Group
CAIR Florida has suspended operations and stopped accepting donations from Florida residents after a state designation under HB 1471.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Islam
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Florida state officials issued CAIR Florida a notice of official domestic terror designation in October 2026, and the group has suspended its operations in the state. CAIR's website stopped accepting donations from people located in Florida and blocks Florida users from the site.
Why it matters
State officials said the designation is meant to combat the group's alleged extremist ties and ideological influence. Students who affiliate with CAIR could face expulsion from state colleges or universities, affecting Florida's public higher education community.
The designation takes effect on Nov. 5, about 30 days after CAIR Florida received its designation notice. CAIR Florida's Temple Terrace office has operated for more than 20 years, and the state has not publicly released the specific evidence behind its extremist-ties allegations.
The players
CAIR Florida
The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights and advocacy organization that has operated its Temple Terrace office for more than 20 years.
Ron DeSantis
The Governor of Florida who approved HB 1471 in 2026 and issued a December 2025 executive order applying a foreign terror label to CAIR.
Mark Walker
A U.S. District Judge who disqualified himself from the separate lawsuit involving CAIR Florida's challenge to the December executive order.
The details
CAIR's Florida office in Temple Terrace posted a neon orange sign announcing the suspension of operations on its window. The group's website stated on Nov. 4 that it is not accepting donations from anybody living or located in Florida and advised Florida residents not to sign up for its mailing lists.
Timeline
July 2026: HB 1471 took effect.
December 2025: DeSantis issued an executive order applying a foreign terror label to CAIR.
October 2026: State officials issued the domestic terror designation notice to CAIR Florida.
November 4, 2026: CAIR announced the suspension of operations and the donation block.
November 5, 2026: The designation takes effect.
Legal Context
The CAIR designation is an application of HB 1471, the Florida law that took effect in July 2026 and created a state mechanism for domestic terror designations. The ACLU has argued in court that the foreign and domestic terror labels are easily abused.
Florida residents can no longer donate to CAIR through its website, and the website blocks Florida users from accessing it. Students affiliated with CAIR could face expulsion from state colleges or universities.
The takeaway
Florida residents and students should be aware that affiliation with a state-designated domestic terror organization may carry consequences at public institutions. Readers following this issue can track the pending lawsuit over the December executive order for further developments.
What happens next
The domestic terror designation takes effect on Nov. 5, 2026, and CAIR Florida's separate lawsuit over the December executive order remains pending.
Further reading
Explore more coverage of Islam and related religious freedom issues in Florida.
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