Muslims complain they are frivolous bills meant to spread fears and sow suspicion of their religion in a nation divided.
But supporters of state proposals to prevent Islamic code from being used in American courts argue they aren’t overtly anti-Muslim and are needed to safeguard constitutional rights for average Americans.
The bills, variations of which have been around for years, don’t specifically seek to ban Islamic law, known as Sharia, even though some lawmakers concede that’s their intent.