Renewed Push in Texas to Ban Property Ownership by Non-Citizens

In Texas, a significant legislative move to restrict property ownership by non-citizens, particularly from countries identified as security threats, is nearing approval. This initiative aligns with President Donald Trump’s robust stance on immigration and national security concerns regarding China.

Details of the Texas Bill

The proposed legislation, known as SB 17, specifically targets non-citizens from countries that the U.S. government considers national security risks, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. A notable feature of the bill is the authority it grants to Governor Greg Abbott, a staunch supporter of President Trump, to expand this list to include other nations as he sees fit.

State Representative Cole Hefner, a proponent of the bill, emphasized that the legislation aims to protect Texas’ land and resources from control by hostile foreign powers. He stated, “This is about securing Texas land and natural resources from adversarial nations and oppressive regimes that wish to do us harm.”

Public Response and Protests

The bill has sparked significant public outcry, with hundreds of protesters gathering in Austin to voice their opposition. Many protesters argue that the bill discriminates based on nationality and could lead to broader racial prejudices, particularly against Asians, who are the fastest-growing demographic in Texas.

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Alice Yi, co-founder of Asian Texans for Justice, criticized the bill, saying, “If you make a law targeting certain people just because of their origin, that’s racist. This is a racist bill.” Eileen Huang from the Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition also highlighted that many immigrants come to the U.S. seeking refuge from oppressive regimes, not to engage in espionage or other harmful activities.

Political Reactions

Despite exemptions for lawful permanent residents, top Democrat in the Texas House, Representative Gene Wu, argued that the bill’s provisions are insufficient. “They’ve accepted green card holders and citizens, but the problem is you cannot become a green card holder or a citizen if you do not have a way to show that you can live here permanently,” Wu explained.

Wu, who was born in China, also expressed concerns about the potential for widespread discrimination against Asians, stemming from misunderstandings and stereotypes.

Legislative Progress and Broader Context

After passing the House with several amendments, SB 17 is set to be reconsidered in the Senate. This legislative effort in Texas is part of a broader trend, with similar property ownership restrictions on Chinese nationals being considered or implemented in other states. This reflects the growing geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China.

In 2021, Texas enacted a law preventing companies from certain countries, including China, from connecting to the state’s power grid, a move aimed at blocking Chinese business interests, specifically those of mogul Sun Guangxin, from developing a large wind farm in Texas.