Counterterrorism Laws

USCNL tracks counterterrorism legislation, analyzes its implications for civil society, and provides resources to help civil society navigate the law and advocate for their First Amendment rights.

Explainer

Federal Terrorism Law and U.S. Civil Society

This briefer summarizes select federal terrorism offenses and designations that may be relevant to U.S. nonprofits and activists.

Database & Report

State Domestic Terrorism Laws in the United States

State domestic terrorism laws have been weaponized to target protesters and activists.  USCNL’s database  provides information about these laws, and our report analyzes the First Amendment concerns they can raise.

Explore the Database Read the Report

State-Level Terrorism Designation Laws and U.S. Nonprofits

This briefer examines recent state laws authorizing the designation of domestic organizations as “terrorist” entities. It explains how these laws may affect U.S. nonprofits and their supporters and discusses constitutional concerns these laws raise.

The Dangers of Florida’s New “Terrorist” Designations

In 2026, lawmakers in several states introduced new laws authorizing state officials to designate domestic organizations as “terrorist” entities or “affiliates” of terrorist groups. Florida’s law is particularly far-reaching.