DeSantis Signs Florida Terror‑Designation Law Targeting ‘Jihad’ and University Support for Named Groups
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1471, creating a Florida process to designate "domestic terrorist organizations," bar them from receiving public funds, require public universities to lose state funding if they "support" a designated group and to expel students who promote such groups, and explicitly reaffirm that Florida courts cannot enforce foreign or religious law, including Sharia. DeSantis framed the measure as ensuring "not one red cent for jihad" and displayed anti‑Sharia signage at the signing, while the ACLU of Florida called the law "dangerous," warning it allows unilateral designations of individuals and organizations as domestic terrorists without meaningful standards or transparency.
📌 Key Facts
- Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1471, creating a Florida process to designate 'domestic terrorist organizations' and bar them from receiving public funds.
- The law requires public universities to lose state funding if they 'support' a designated terrorist organization and allows expulsion of students who promote such groups.
- HB 1471 explicitly reaffirms that Florida courts cannot enforce foreign or religious law, including Sharia law.
- At the bill signing, DeSantis said the law ensures 'not one red cent for jihad' and stood behind signage denouncing Sharia law.
- The ACLU of Florida condemned the legislation as 'dangerous,' warning it permits unilateral designation of individuals and organizations as domestic terrorists without meaningful standards or transparency.
📊 Relevant Data
Florida's Muslim population is estimated at 127,172 in 2026, representing approximately 0.56% of the state's total population of about 22.8 million.
Muslim Population by State 2026 — World Population Review
From 2001 to 2025, there were 240 Muslim-Americans involved in violent extremism, with incidents declining over time; in 2025, only 6 individuals were arrested for plotting Islamist terrorist attacks in the US.
Islamic Terrorism — Charles Kurzman (UNC)
In the 2023-2024 academic year, there were 3,810 anti-Israel incidents on US campuses, including 1,005 protests, with some featuring glorification of terrorism such as praise for Hamas or other designated groups.
Florida's population growth from 2020 to 2025 was driven by net migration of nearly 1.8 million people, with international immigration accounting for a significant portion, including from regions with Muslim-majority countries, though specific breakdowns show only 1.9% of immigrants born in Africa and 10.6% in Asia.
Florida: Economic Overview — Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research
Between 2016 and 2026, there have been limited documented attempts to enforce Sharia law in US courts, with most anti-Sharia legislation being precautionary; one notable case involved a 2025 investigation in Texas into an Islamic Tribunal accused of making judicial rulings outside state law.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Takes Legal Action as Part of Landmark Investigation into Alleged Effort to Impose Sharia Law in Texas — Texas Attorney General
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1471, creating a Florida process to designate 'domestic terrorist organizations' and bar them from receiving public funds.
- The law requires public universities to lose state funds if they 'support' a designated terrorist organization and to expel students who promote such groups.
- HB 1471 explicitly reaffirms that Florida courts cannot enforce foreign or religious law, including Sharia law.
- DeSantis framed the law as ensuring 'not one red cent for jihad' and stood behind signage denouncing Sharia law at the signing.
- The ACLU of Florida publicly condemned the legislation as 'dangerous,' warning that it allows unilateral designation of individuals and organizations as domestic terrorists without meaningful standards or transparency.