Here’s a bombshell that’s bound to ignite fierce debate: Texas’ acting Comptroller, Kelly Hancock, is questioning whether certain Islamic schools should be barred from the state’s new school voucher program due to alleged ties to Muslim advocacy groups or foreign governments. But here’s where it gets controversial—Hancock’s inquiry specifically targets schools linked to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a group Governor Greg Abbott recently labeled a terrorist organization, despite CAIR’s ongoing lawsuit challenging that designation as baseless and defamatory. And this is the part most people miss: Hancock also raises concerns about a school allegedly controlled by a group tied to a Chinese government adviser, citing a new law restricting foreign ownership of Texas land. So, should schools be excluded from public funding based on these associations? Or does this cross a line into discrimination and First Amendment violations?
In a formal request for opinion submitted to Attorney General Ken Paxton on December 12, Hancock asked whether schools could be disqualified if they’re connected to a ‘foreign terrorist organization’ or a ‘foreign adversary.’ He pointed to CAIR’s ‘Know Your Rights’ events held at some schools, which educate students on civil rights protections—activities CAIR argues are not only legal but constitutionally protected. Hancock’s request also references Senate Bill 17, which bans land ownership in Texas by entities from countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, further complicating the eligibility of schools with foreign ties.
Hancock clarified that his inquiry isn’t a prejudgment but a necessary step to ensure public funds aren’t misused and that sensitive data is shielded from foreign threats. Yet, the lack of specifics on which schools might be affected has left many in the dark, though about 600 private schools and 200 vendors have already applied for the voucher program since its launch. Attorney General opinions, while not legally binding, carry significant weight in guiding state agency decisions.
CAIR Texas fired back, arguing that penalizing schools for hosting civil rights education would raise ‘serious First Amendment concerns.’ They insist that neither the voucher program’s enabling legislation (Senate Bill 2) nor other laws justify excluding schools based on such affiliations. Meanwhile, Abbott’s designation of CAIR as a terrorist group is part of a broader trend of Texas politicians increasingly scrutinizing Muslim organizations, fueled in part by recent investigations into the East Plano Islamic Center’s development project.
Here’s the bigger question: Are these moves legitimate security measures, or do they reflect a troubling bias against Muslim communities? With Texas families set to apply for vouchers starting February 4, the stakes are high—and the debate is far from over. What’s your take? Let us know in the comments.
Disclosure: The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has financially supported The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit news organization. However, financial supporters have no influence over editorial content. For a full list of supporters, visit here.
Ayden Runnels is the afternoon/evening reporter for The Texas Tribune. Previously, they covered breaking news for the Las Vegas Sun and graduated from the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas. More by Ayden Runnels here.
