Texas orders Muslim university in Dallas to shut down

Texas officials demanded the closure of TexAM University at Dallas on May 6, citing violations of state laws governing higher education. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board issued a cease-and-desist letter, requiring the institution to halt all degree programs—including master’s in Artificial Intelligence and bachelor’s in computer science, IT, cybersecurity, and health informatics—until it obtained proper authorization. The board stated that TexAM’s website and advertising falsely presented itself as a university offering accredited degrees. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a lawsuit against TexAM University at Dallas, accusing the school of operating illegally and misleading prospective students. Paxton highlighted the institution’s use of a name 'confusingly similar' to Texas A&M University, calling it a 'degree mill' that deceived students. The lawsuit seeks to hold the school and its leaders accountable for unauthorized operations. In response, Shahid A. Bajwa, founder of the Texas American Muslim Institute for Technology, denied wrongdoing and claimed compliance with the board’s demands. Bajwa stated that the institution had already ceased degree-related activities, removed its website and social media, and had not charged student fees. He argued that the lawsuit overlooked these steps and demanded clarification. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board gave TexAM until May 8 to confirm it had halted all degree offerings. Bajwa claimed the deadline was later extended, but the institution faced legal action regardless. The dispute centers on whether TexAM violated Texas education laws by operating without proper accreditation while advertising degree programs.