Texas bans certain foreign buyers from owning land, targets China

"Gov. Greg Abbott signed the measure into law and framed it as a safeguard against foreign influence. It is very simple. Hostile foreign adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, as well as foreign terrorist organizations like Tren de Aragua, must not be allowed to own land in Texas, Abbott said in a press release. They should not be allowed access to our critical infrastructure, and they may not be allowed to exploit our border."

"The legislation was authored by Republican Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, who said it was crafted to withstand constitutional challenges. This legislation is different [than similar, earlier legislation], better, and more constitutionally sound and predicated on national security issues, Kolkhorst told KERA News. In the interim, I asked my staff to work with the best legal minds to craft a constitutionally sound but strict bill to protect Texas."

"Many Texans have been increasingly concerned by this growing practice over the last few years. Civil rights groups, however, argue the law unfairly targets immigrants and Asian communities. In May, the ACLU of Texas said SB 17 would undermine equal protection rights. S.B. 17 denies people meaningful access to housing and business opportunities, said Sarah Cruz, policy and advocacy strategist for immigrants' rights, the organization said. The bill would promote racial profiling against citi"

Texas enacted a law that restricts land ownership and limits leases longer than one year for some foreign nationals, targeting entities tied to hostile foreign adversaries and foreign terrorist organizations. The law includes criminal penalties for violations and aims to protect critical infrastructure. The legislation cites a Chinese company’s purchase of acreage near Laughlin Air Force Base as a catalyst. Supporters frame the measure as national-security policy and argue it will prevent adversarial ownership of private property. Civil-rights groups contend the law unfairly targets immigrants and Asian communities, alleging it undermines equal-protection rights and could enable racial profiling and reduced housing and business access.

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