AUSTIN, Texas — A handful of moves made this week by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott against Islamic groups in the state have some worried it will amplify Islamophobic rhetoric that they fear could lead to violence against Muslim communities.

The increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric comes as Abbott seeks reelection for a fourth term as the state's governor.

On Tuesday, Abbott designated the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations .

That designation authorizes heightened enforcement against both organizations and allows Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton “to sue to shut them down.” It also prevents the groups and those associated with them from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas.

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