Florida Cabinet Approves 90+ Terrorist Designations Prompting ACLU Lawsuit

 

Breaking Down Florida’s Controversial Move to Designate 90+ Groups as Terrorist Organizations

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announces the state’s new terrorist-organization designation policy in July 2026.

 

In a sweeping and highly controversial political maneuver, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his Cabinet recently approved a measure designating more than 90 groups as terrorist organizations. This significant decision has sent shockwaves through the state's political landscape, immediately drawing intense scrutiny from civil rights advocates and legal experts alike.

The extensive list of targeted entities includes international groups already recognized by the [suspicious link removed], such as the Venezuelan crime syndicate Tren de Aragua and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran. However, it also notably encompasses domestic groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim Brotherhood, and the anti-fascism movement commonly known as antifa.

The legislative backbone for this drastic action is a newly implemented law, House Bill 1471, which officially went into effect on July 1. This law grants the state broad authority to combat perceived threats but has raised severe constitutional concerns among critics who argue it oversteps legal boundaries and targets specific communities unfairly.

In rapid response to the Cabinet's vote, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has mobilized to mount a robust legal challenge. Representing CAIR-Florida, the ACLU's National Security Project intends to file a preliminary injunction in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, arguing that the designation directly violates the First Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause.

Hina Shamsi, a prominent director at the ACLU National Security Project, strongly condemned the DeSantis administration's actions as "unnecessary, unprecedented, and unconstitutional." She emphasized during a press address that there is absolutely no evidence or allegation that CAIR has engaged in any violent acts that would legally warrant such a severe and damaging label.

If the preliminary injunction is not granted, these contentious designations are slated to take full effect on November 5. Civil rights advocates warn that this impending deadline could severely handicap the ability of nonprofits like CAIR-Florida to conduct their constitutionally protected activities, including essential "know your rights" trainings and broad community representation.

Beyond simply labeling these organizations, the state's new law also dictates strict educational and financial consequences within Florida's public education system. It mandates the expulsion of any college student who promotes a designated group and strictly prohibits schools and public universities from utilizing state or federal funds to support programs affiliated with these organizations, further tightening the state's grip on campus activities and free speech.