Montgomery, Alabama — U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama has been placed on an anti-Muslim extremist list by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) following a series of escalating remarks targeting Muslim Americans and immigrants, according to reporting published Tuesday.
CAIR cited Tuberville’s recent calls for the forced deportation of Muslims, his claim that Islam is “not a religion” but a “cult,” and legislative proposals aimed at restricting Islamic practices as justification for the designation. Corey Saylor, CAIR’s research and advocacy director, said the senator’s comments represent an unprecedented level of hostility toward a protected religious group by a sitting member of Congress.
Tuberville responded on social media by saying he views the designation as “a badge of honor.” In recent days, he has also asserted—without evidence—that Somali-Americans are stealing taxpayer funds and sending money to terrorists overseas, rhetoric civil rights groups say mirrors long-debunked conspiracy theories.
The controversy follows the introduction of two bills by Tuberville: the “No Sharia Act,” which would prohibit courts from enforcing foreign law, and the “Preserving a Sharia Free America Act,” which would allow immigration penalties for individuals accused of supporting Islamic law. Legal scholars have long argued similar proposals raise serious First Amendment concerns.
Former Democratic Sen. Doug Jones, who is expected to challenge Tuberville in Alabama’s 2026 gubernatorial race, condemned the remarks as religious bigotry and warned they risk stigmatizing entire communities. Muslim leaders and educators in the state have also pushed back, emphasizing that Islamic schools operate within U.S. law and focus on standard academic instruction alongside religious education.
As Tuberville doubles down, the episode underscores broader tensions within national politics over immigration, religious freedom, and the boundaries of political speech.
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