The watchdog group the Intelligent Advocacy Network (IAN) submitted a complaint to the Department of Justice that over $7.2 million in taxpayer-funded grants allocated to California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have effectively disappeared. The funding, intended for immigration-related legal services for refugees, was allegedly misallocated or improperly distributed to CAIR’s local branches that are not registered nonprofit entities eligible for such funds.
Federal Funding Irregularities and Calls for Investigation
According to IAN’s March 13, 2025 complaint to the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), CAIR’s California branch (CAIR-CA) improperly sub-granted large sums of its federal allocation to CAIR-affiliated chapters that were not legally eligible to receive such funds. This includes its Greater Los Angeles chapter, which reportedly received the full $7,217,968.44 despite not being a registered nonprofit. CAIR-LA then sub-granted portions of these funds to San Diego and San Francisco CAIR branches, raising legal concerns over whether the organization simply shifted federal money within itself.
The watchdog group also alleges that CAIR-CA failed to report millions in government grants on its IRS 990 tax forms in both 2022 and 2023, potentially violating nonprofit financial regulations. DOJ accreditation for CAIR-CA expired on February 22, 2025, and IAN is urging the federal government not to renew it, citing support for Hamas, financial mismanagement, and regulatory noncompliance.
Larger Controversies Surrounding CAIR
Beyond financial concerns, CAIR has been repeatedly scrutinized for its alleged ties to Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. In 2008, CAIR was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation case, where a U.S. charity was found guilty of funneling millions to Hamas. The FBI cut ties with CAIR following the case.
Statements by CAIR Leaders in Support of October 7th
CAIR leaders have made the following statements in support of Hamas October 7th attack on Israel:
Hussam Ayloush, CEO of CAIR-CA, shared an article published in Al-Jazeera that referred to Hamas’s attack as “Our Warsaw Uprising Moment.”
Zahra Billoo, Executive Director of CAIR’s San Francisco chapter, described the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks as "decolonization," thereby whitewashing the mass murder, rapes, and kidnappings committed against Israeli civilians.
Nihad Awad, CAIR National Executive Director, said he was "happy to see" the October 7th attack.
Political and Governmental Backlash
Due to its controversial history and recent pro-Hamas statements, several governmental bodies have cut ties with CAIR. The Biden administration officially severed ties with CAIR in December 2023 due to the statements from its leadership.
In May 2024, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed legislation removing CAIR from a state board overseeing hate crimes.
The Florida House passed a resolution in February 2024 urging state and local agencies to suspend contact with CAIR.
In September 2024, Palo Alto, CA, rescinded funding for a CAIR-sponsored event after concerns about its support for Hamas.
Federal Funding to Muslim Brotherhood-Linked Groups
According to investigative journalist Angela Van Der Pluym, federal funding is being allocated to Muslim Brotherhood-linked organizations, including CAIR. Van Der Pluym, who has been documenting these grants, reports that over $50 million in taxpayer money has been funneled to these organizations through federal programs.
She further states that these grants were paused during the Trump administration but resumed through COVID relief funding in 2020 and 2021, allowing groups with alleged terror-links to once again access to U.S. taxpayer funds. Among the grants she uncovered, the Bridgeview Mosque Foundation in Chicago, which has historical ties to the Holy Land Foundation terror financing scandal in which CAIR was named an unindicted co-conspirator, received $303,520 in 2020 and another $220,650 in 2021.
Van Der Pluym argues that the scandal is more extensive than most Americans realize. Many believe these organizations are funded only by foreign nations, but in reality, they receive millions of dollars directly from U.S. government grants.
Next Steps and Federal Investigation
IAN has called for a forensic audit and a formal DOJ probe to determine the full extent of financial misconduct. The group also seeks the permanent disqualification of CAIR-CA from receiving any future government funding.
As calls for accountability grow, the future of CAIR’s role in government-funded programs and civil rights advocacy remains uncertain. The DOJ has yet to comment on whether it will take formal action against CAIR-CA in response to the allegations.
Depends what you mean by “misused.” They used it for Hamas.
Thank you for making this known.