The “Sharia-Free America Caucus” was started by Representatives Keith Self (3rd from L) and Chip Roy of Texas (2nd from R) on 18 December 2025. [Getty]
The “Sharia-Free America Caucus”, a congressional group in the United States that claims to advocate for stopping the spread of Islamic law, was established in December 2025 and has quickly reached more than 60 members—amounting to about a quarter of Republicans—in the House of Representatives in less than six months.
The “Sharia-Free America Caucus” was started by Representatives Keith Self and Chip Roy of Texas on 18 December 2025. In a press release, they claimed to have added 24 members in less than a month, an unusually high number for a new caucus.
This follows years of anti-Sharia law legislation in different states across the US.
What are members of the caucus saying?
According to a January 2025 press release by Keith Self, one of the caucus’s founders, those who joined the caucus have voiced strong support for it.
“Sharia is completely incompatible with the American way of life and threatens the very fabric of our society. It is radical, oppressive, and must never be allowed to gain a foothold in America. I’m thankful to Congressmen Roy and Self for leading this noble charge in the House and looking forward to working together to combat this danger,” said Representative Tom Emmer of Minnesota.
“Sharia Law is utterly barbaric and has no place in America whatsoever. My constituents in Texas are constantly expressing their concern and asking what can be done about the rise of mass Islamic immigration in North Texas, including developments like the East Plano Islamic Community. If people come to America in search of a better life, they need to be prepared to assimilate into our culture, not impose third-world ideals into our society. I am proud to join the Sharia-Free America Caucus, led by my Texas colleagues, Reps. Keith Self and Chip Roy,” said Representative Brandon Gill.
Why is this caucus gaining traction?
Though anti-sharia measures have been gaining ground for well over a decade, alarm around the issue has quickly been gaining traction since US President Donald Trump came to office for a second term in 2025. He has repeatedly described London as being under the threat of Sharia law.
“I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, terrible, terrible mayor, and it’s been changed, it’s been so changed,” Trump said at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September.
“Now they want to go to Sharia law. But you are in a different country, you can’t do that,” he said.
Which states have enacted anti-Sharia measures?
As of May 2026, at least nine states and the Canadian province of Ontario have passed anti-sharia legislation, prohibiting the use of Islamic law in civil matters. Some of these laws have been passed through ballot measures. Several countries in Europe, including the UK, Germany and Greece, have also enacted anti-sharia measures.
What are the legal implications of anti-Sharia measures?
Some legal experts have raised concerns over anti-Sharia law measures as being unconstitutional and spreading hate. Constitutionally, a religion can’t be used as a basis for laws. Legislation must be passed in a secular manner.
The American Bar Association have come out against anti-sharia laws, saying they are unnecessary, given the existence of laws that protect the separation of church and state.
What are civil rights groups saying?
In February, the Council on American-Islamic Relations designated the “Sharia-Free Caucus” as an anti-Muslim hate group. In their press release, they said they believed that the caucus is advancing legislation that would make practising Islam illegal.
They also noted that Randy Fine, one of the caucus’s most prominent members, has compared members of the faith to dogs.
“They are essentially telling other Americans that your freedom comes with conditions,” Corey Saylor, research and advocacy director with CAIR, told The New Arab. “Otherwise, we don’t belong.”
He added that historically similar measures have been used against other marginalised groups.
In a 2013 report, the Brennan Centre for Justice raised concerns that anti-sharia legislation could invalidate prenuptial agreements from religious marriages, including with Jews and Christians.
Sharia means law in Arabic. Historically, it refers to Islamic law, which has multiple branches and interpretations. In modern usage, it is often used as a term for justice. Sharia, or Islamic law, is not practised under civil law in the US.
