Alien Land Bills
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Legal Docket by CourtListener: National Fair Housing Alliance, Inc. v. Secretary of Commerce (1:24-cv-21749)
On May 6, 2024, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, along with their partners Relman Colfax, and Courtney Cunningham, filed a lawsuit against SB 264 in Florida on behalf of the National Fair Housing Alliance, the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), Housing Opportunities Projects for Excellence, and the Fair Housing Center of the Greater Palm Beach.
References and Links
2024/11/19 Gene Wu: Response to Abbott's Support for Chinese Immigrant Community in Texas
2024/05/06 Advancing Justice | AAJC: Historic Legal Battle Unveiled Against Discriminatory Florida Housing Law SB 264
2024/05/06 National Fair Housing Alliance: Historic Legal Battle Unveiled Against Discriminatory Florida Housing Law SB 264
References and Links
2024/11/19 Gene Wu: Response to Abbott's Support for Chinese Immigrant Community in Texas
2024/05/06 Advancing Justice | AAJC: Historic Legal Battle Unveiled Against Discriminatory Florida Housing Law SB 264
2024/05/06 National Fair Housing Alliance: Historic Legal Battle Unveiled Against Discriminatory Florida Housing Law SB 264
Legal Docket by CourtListener: SHEN v. SIMPSON (4:23-cv-00208)
On February 1, 2024, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily halted the enforcement of an unconstitutional Florida law, known as SB 264, against two Chinese immigrants who have challenged the statute in court.
On February 5, 2023, Clay Zhu (DeHeng Law Offices), Ashley Gorski (ACLU), and Patrick Toomey (ACLU) of the legal team gave updates on the ruling. The legal team is grateful for the decision that was issued by the Appeals Court. It prevents Florida from enforcing SB 264 against two of the plaintiffs. Although technically the injunction is very narrow, it is a very good sign because the court’s reasoning was that the plaintiffs are substantially likely to prevail on their argument that Florida's law is preempted or trumped by federal law. Under the Constitution, the federal law controls and for that reason the Florida law is very likely unconstitutional.
This is a very good sign for the litigation to go forward. The adopted legal theory, if it is embraced ultimately by the Appeals Court, is one that could reach many other people who are contending with the hardships posed by this state law.
Oral arguments are scheduled in Miami the week of April 15. It is unclear whether any of the same judges will hear the full appeal. The legal team is looking ahead to the April date.
A summary of their talk is here: https://bit.ly/3uuhm0b
References and Links
2024/10/01 Gene Wu: ANTI-ASIAN LAWS IN AMERICA - Past, Present, & What’s Coming (updated version)
2024/09/29 Gene Wu: Town Hall on ANTI-ASIAN LAWS IN AMERICA - Past, Present, & What’s Coming (video 49:37)
2024/08/30 Gene Wu: ANTI-ASIAN LAWS IN AMERICA - Past, Present, & What’s Coming
2024/02/06 AASF: Court Ruling Temporarily Halts Florida Law Banning Chinese and Other Immigrants from Buying Homes
2024/02/05 APA Justice: Partial Summary of February 2024 Monthly Meeting
2024/02/05 HousingWire: Court temporarily blocks Florida law barring Chinese citizens from owning property
2024/02/03 South China Morning Post: Florida law barring Chinese citizens from owning property in state blocked by US court
2024/02/02 Politico: Federal appeals court narrowly blocks controversial Florida law barring Chinese land ownership
2024/02/02 Reuters: US court blocks Florida law barring Chinese citizens from owning property
2024/02/02 AsAmNews: Ban on Chinese land ownership in Florida blocked by federal court
2024/02/02 The Capitolist: U.S. Appeals Court grants partial injunction against foreign land ownership limitations
2024/02/02 Bloomberg Law: Florida Ban on Home Buying by Chinese, Other Nationals Halted
2024/02/02 Washington Examiner: Florida law limiting Chinese citizens from owning land blocked by appeals court
2024/02/01 South Florida SunSentinel: Appeals court deals blow to Florida’s law on Chinese land ownership
2024/02/01 ACLU: ACLU Applauds Appeals Court Decision Halting Enforcement of Florida Law That Bans Many Immigrants from China and Other Countries From Buying Homes
2024/02/01 CALDA 华美维权同盟: 喜大普奔：上诉法院发布临时禁止令，SB 264被宣布部分无效！
2024/02/01 11th Circuit Court of Appeals: Document 59 - Order of the Court
On February 5, 2023, Clay Zhu (DeHeng Law Offices), Ashley Gorski (ACLU), and Patrick Toomey (ACLU) of the legal team gave updates on the ruling. The legal team is grateful for the decision that was issued by the Appeals Court. It prevents Florida from enforcing SB 264 against two of the plaintiffs. Although technically the injunction is very narrow, it is a very good sign because the court’s reasoning was that the plaintiffs are substantially likely to prevail on their argument that Florida's law is preempted or trumped by federal law. Under the Constitution, the federal law controls and for that reason the Florida law is very likely unconstitutional.
This is a very good sign for the litigation to go forward. The adopted legal theory, if it is embraced ultimately by the Appeals Court, is one that could reach many other people who are contending with the hardships posed by this state law.
Oral arguments are scheduled in Miami the week of April 15. It is unclear whether any of the same judges will hear the full appeal. The legal team is looking ahead to the April date.
A summary of their talk is here: https://bit.ly/3uuhm0b
References and Links
2024/10/01 Gene Wu: ANTI-ASIAN LAWS IN AMERICA - Past, Present, & What’s Coming (updated version)
2024/09/29 Gene Wu: Town Hall on ANTI-ASIAN LAWS IN AMERICA - Past, Present, & What’s Coming (video 49:37)
2024/08/30 Gene Wu: ANTI-ASIAN LAWS IN AMERICA - Past, Present, & What’s Coming
2024/02/06 AASF: Court Ruling Temporarily Halts Florida Law Banning Chinese and Other Immigrants from Buying Homes
2024/02/05 APA Justice: Partial Summary of February 2024 Monthly Meeting
2024/02/05 HousingWire: Court temporarily blocks Florida law barring Chinese citizens from owning property
2024/02/03 South China Morning Post: Florida law barring Chinese citizens from owning property in state blocked by US court
2024/02/02 Politico: Federal appeals court narrowly blocks controversial Florida law barring Chinese land ownership
2024/02/02 Reuters: US court blocks Florida law barring Chinese citizens from owning property
2024/02/02 AsAmNews: Ban on Chinese land ownership in Florida blocked by federal court
2024/02/02 The Capitolist: U.S. Appeals Court grants partial injunction against foreign land ownership limitations
2024/02/02 Bloomberg Law: Florida Ban on Home Buying by Chinese, Other Nationals Halted
2024/02/02 Washington Examiner: Florida law limiting Chinese citizens from owning land blocked by appeals court
2024/02/01 South Florida SunSentinel: Appeals court deals blow to Florida’s law on Chinese land ownership
2024/02/01 ACLU: ACLU Applauds Appeals Court Decision Halting Enforcement of Florida Law That Bans Many Immigrants from China and Other Countries From Buying Homes
2024/02/01 CALDA 华美维权同盟: 喜大普奔：上诉法院发布临时禁止令，SB 264被宣布部分无效！
2024/02/01 11th Circuit Court of Appeals: Document 59 - Order of the Court
On February 5, 2024, Micah R. Brown, Staff Attorney of the National Agricultural Law Center at the US Department of Agriculture, gave a presentation on the history and current developments in anti-foreign land ownership laws to the SB 147 Roundtable.
His presentation covers:
2024/02/05 USDA: The National Agricultural Law Center
His presentation covers:
- Historical context on how state laws vary widely without a generalized or uniform approach and how they developed unevenly at five different “political flashpoints” over ensuing decades/centuries including the period of 2021 to the present.
- Current proposals in Congress to seek to control, prohibit, restrict, or increase oversight on foreign investments in U.S. agriculture.
- Enactment of alien land law SB 383 in Arkansas; preliminary injunction against SB 264 in Florida, and Missouri Governor John Ashcroft’s Executive Order 24-01
2024/02/05 USDA: The National Agricultural Law Center
Legal Docket by CourtListener: SHEN v. SIMPSON (4:23-cv-00208)
On August 21, 2023, attorneys for the plaintiffs in the Florida lawsuit against Senate Bill (SB) 264 filed an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit from the Order, entered on August 17, 2023, denying Plaintiffs’ Emergency Motion for a Preliminary Injunction.
The federal district court judge refused to preliminarily block Senate Bill (SB) 264, an unconstitutional Florida law banning many Chinese immigrants, including people here as professors, students, employees, and scientists, from buying a home in large swaths of the state. As a result, SB 264 remains in effect.
References and Links
ACLU: Tell Congress: Say 'NO' to Discriminatory Land Laws
The federal district court judge refused to preliminarily block Senate Bill (SB) 264, an unconstitutional Florida law banning many Chinese immigrants, including people here as professors, students, employees, and scientists, from buying a home in large swaths of the state. As a result, SB 264 remains in effect.
References and Links
ACLU: Tell Congress: Say 'NO' to Discriminatory Land Laws
- 2023/08/28 NPR: Slew of new landownership bills are reminiscent of anti-Asian Alien Land Laws
- 2023/08/26 NBC News: Is China really buying up U.S. farmland? Here’s what we found
- 2023/08/23 NBC News: Backlash grows over Chinese companies purchasing land in U.S.
- 2023/08/21 4:23-cv-00208 Document 70: Plaintiffs Notice of Appeal
- 2023/08/18 Nikkie Asia: U.S. judge won't block Florida law barring Chinese from owning homes
- 2023/08/18 Washington Post: Florida judge refuses to halt law restricting Chinese land ownership
- 2023/08/18 South China Morning Post: US judge declines to block Florida law restricting Chinese from buying property
- 2023/08/17 Politico: Federal judge rejects push to block Florida Chinese land ownership law
- 2023/08/17 AsAmNews: District Court declines to stop Florida Chinese land ban
- 2023/08/17 National Iranian American Council: NIAC Condemns Florida Court’s Denial of Preliminary Injunction for Alien Land Law (S.B. 264)
- 2023/08/17 4:23-cv-00208 Document 69: Order Denying Preliminary Injunction Motion
- 2023/08/03 The Hill Opinion: Americans must unite to reject 21st Century ‘alien land laws’
2024/01/03 Foreign Policy: Red States Don’t Want Chinese Neighbors
2023/12/17 加拿大家园: 哪些社区禁中国公民投资？百人会推数据图
2023/07/
2023/12/17 加拿大家园: 哪些社区禁中国公民投资？百人会推数据图
2023/07/
On July 24, 2023, APA Justice published a Special Edition of its newsletter to cover the July 18 court hearing on the emergency motion for preliminary injunction to block Florida's new discriminatory housing law and a new movement emerging from the protests and rallies against the legislation in front of the courthouse.
It covered:
Read the Special Edition of the APA Justice Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3Y4uGCO
It covered:
- July 18, 2023 - A New Movement Emerges
- Florida State and Local Leadership
- Meet The Attorneys for The Plaintiffs
- National and Community Organizations Support and Leadership
- Color Yellow, Playbooks, and Tracking Hate
- Federal Level Support and Leadership
Read the Special Edition of the APA Justice Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3Y4uGCO
Legal Docket by CourtListener: SHEN v. SIMPSON (4:23-cv-00208)
On May 22, 2023, a group of Chinese citizens who live, work, study, and raise families in Florida, as well as a real estate brokerage firm in Florida that primarily serves clients of Chinese descent, filed a lawsuit to combat Florida’s discriminatory property law, SB 264. Signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the legislation unfairly restricts most Chinese citizens — and most citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, and North Korea — from purchasing homes in the state. Unless the courts act, the law became effect on July 1, 2023.
The plaintiffs are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Florida, DeHeng Law Offices PC 德恒律师事务所, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, in coordination with the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance 华美维权同盟 (CALDA).
The lawsuit argues that SB 264 will codify and expand housing discrimination against people of Asian descent in violation of the Constitution and the Fair Housing Act. It will also cast an undue burden of suspicion on anyone seeking to buy property whose name sounds remotely Asian, Russian, Iranian, Cuban, Venezuelan, or Syrian. Gov. DeSantis has argued that this law is necessary to protect Florida from the Chinese Communist Party and its activities. But this misguided rationale unfairly equates Chinese people with the actions of their government, and there is no evidence of national security harm resulting from real estate ownership by Chinese people in Florida.
Florida’s dangerous new law recalls similar efforts over the past century to weaponize false claims of “national security” against Asian immigrants and other marginalized communities. In the early 1900s, politicians across the country used similar justifications to pass “alien land laws” prohibiting Chinese and Japanese immigrants from becoming landowners. These racist policies not only hurt immigrants financially, but also severely exacerbated violence and discrimination against Asian communities living in the United States. Over time, these laws were struck down by the courts or were repealed by state legislatures because they violated the Constitution’s equal protection guarantees.
References and Links
The plaintiffs are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Florida, DeHeng Law Offices PC 德恒律师事务所, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, in coordination with the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance 华美维权同盟 (CALDA).
The lawsuit argues that SB 264 will codify and expand housing discrimination against people of Asian descent in violation of the Constitution and the Fair Housing Act. It will also cast an undue burden of suspicion on anyone seeking to buy property whose name sounds remotely Asian, Russian, Iranian, Cuban, Venezuelan, or Syrian. Gov. DeSantis has argued that this law is necessary to protect Florida from the Chinese Communist Party and its activities. But this misguided rationale unfairly equates Chinese people with the actions of their government, and there is no evidence of national security harm resulting from real estate ownership by Chinese people in Florida.
Florida’s dangerous new law recalls similar efforts over the past century to weaponize false claims of “national security” against Asian immigrants and other marginalized communities. In the early 1900s, politicians across the country used similar justifications to pass “alien land laws” prohibiting Chinese and Japanese immigrants from becoming landowners. These racist policies not only hurt immigrants financially, but also severely exacerbated violence and discrimination against Asian communities living in the United States. Over time, these laws were struck down by the courts or were repealed by state legislatures because they violated the Constitution’s equal protection guarantees.
References and Links
- 2023/08/17 Document 69: Order Denying Preliminary Injunction Motion
- 2023/07/18 Document 67: Motion Hearing
- 2023/07/11 Document 65: Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of Their Motion for a Preliminary Injunction
- 2023/07/07 Document 64: Brief of Amici Curiae Idaho, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Utah in Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction
- 2023/06/28 CALDA: 美国联邦政府正式参与佛州案，与我们携手捍卫华人权益
- 2023/06/27 Document 54: Statement of Interest of The United States in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction
- 2023/06/21 Time: Florida Really Just Banned Chinese Immigrants from Owning Property. We're Suing
- 2023/06/15 CALDA: 法官确定禁止令时间表，19家民权组织联名向法院提交法庭之友附议书
- 2023/06/14 Document 43: Brief of Racial Justice Centers, Affinity Bar and Professional Associations, and Civil Rights Advocacy Organizations in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction
- ACLU Press Release: Chinese Immigrants Sue Florida Over Unconstitutional and Discriminatory Law Banning Them From Buying Land
- 2023/05/22 Document 1: Complaint: SHEN v. SIMPSON 4:23-cv-00208-AW-MAF
- ACLU Case Page: Shen v. Simpson - What's at Stake
- Media reports: AP News, AsAmNews, Axios, CBS News, Forbes, Fortune, Politico, Reuters, The Hill, Independent Florida Alligator, and Tallahassee Democrat
- Smithsonian Institution: A More Perfect Union - Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution
- Equal Justice Initiative: California Law Prohibits Asian Immigrants from Owning Land
In response to the ongoing onslaught of federal and state alien land laws, the Committee of 100 has created a database and interactive data visualization tool intended to help individuals and organizations identify and track related legislative activity. Beginning on December 15, 2023, APA Justice ceased to update its tracking of the alien land bills and laws. Interested readers are redirected to visit the Committee of 100 web page at: https://bit.ly/41NWtJG
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As of May 28, 2023, there are 33 states known to have introduced some form of alien land and property bills in the current or recent legislative session. A few have passed and signed into state law; some have died; others are still pending. Ohio introduced HB 212 to become the 34th state on June 20, 2023.
Although the Texas legislative session ended at the end of May, special sessions have been called and are continuing. On October 9, 2023, Texas State Senator Lois Kolkhorst introduced Senate Bill (SB) 51; a companion House Bill (HB) 124 was introduced on October 11. SB51 is a reincarnation of SB147 which failed to become law in the regular legislative session.
State-by-state links to the legislations and a companion map are provided below as community resources. They are collected from multiple sources including research by APA Justice, Advancing Justice | AAJC, Committee of 100, National Agricultural Law Center, Project South, media reports, and crowdsourcing. Due to the dynamic nature of these developments, we update the information periodically. We anticipate the introduction or continuation of alien land and property bills into future state legislative sessions.
Although the Texas legislative session ended at the end of May, special sessions have been called and are continuing. On October 9, 2023, Texas State Senator Lois Kolkhorst introduced Senate Bill (SB) 51; a companion House Bill (HB) 124 was introduced on October 11. SB51 is a reincarnation of SB147 which failed to become law in the regular legislative session.
State-by-state links to the legislations and a companion map are provided below as community resources. They are collected from multiple sources including research by APA Justice, Advancing Justice | AAJC, Committee of 100, National Agricultural Law Center, Project South, media reports, and crowdsourcing. Due to the dynamic nature of these developments, we update the information periodically. We anticipate the introduction or continuation of alien land and property bills into future state legislative sessions.
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State-by-State Status on Alien Land Bills in
the 2023 Legislative Sessions (as of October 20, 2023) Click on image to view map 
Sources: APA Justice, Advancing Justice | AAJC, Committee of 100, National Agricultural Law Center, Project South, media reports,
and crowdsourcing
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State-by-State links to Known Alien Land Bills in
the 2023 Legislative Sessions (as of October 20, 2023) Click on image to view entire list 
Sources: APA Justice, Advancing Justice | AAJC, Committee of 100, National Agricultural Law Center, Project South, media reports,
and crowdsourcing
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2023/05/28 APA Justice: Methodology Used to Compile the Tracking Information for the 2023 Legislative Sessions
On May 30, 2023, APA Justice posted the first map and tracking table on the alien land bills in the 2023 legislative regular and special sessions.
On May 26, 2023, Just Security published an essay by Edgar Chen, Senior Policy Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), titled "With New 'Alien Land Laws' Asian Immigrants Are Once Again Targeted by Real Estate Bans."
On April 29, 2023, the Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA) and a broad coalition of organizations including United Chinese Americans led a state-wide rally to protest Florida Senate Bill 264 and House Bill 1355 in Gainesville, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tallahassee, and Tampa.
On April 27, 2023, U.S. Congressman Al Green shared a draft bill "to preempt State prohibitions on real estate purchases by foreign citizens, and for other purposes" that he plans to sponsor and co-authored by Congresswoman Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). Organizations that who would like to endorse the bill may fill out an endorsement form no later than Friday, May 5, 2023, 12 p.m. ET.
On April 27, 2023, multiple media including Channel 2-TV, Houston Public Media, Houston Chronicle and Texas Tribune reported protests against the passing of Senate Bill 147 to the Texas House.
On April 26, 2023, a "watered-down" version of Texas Senate Bill 147 was sent to the Texas House on a 19-12 vote. Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, thanked Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, for narrowing her bill but said he could not support an effort that has encouraged racists and jeopardized the safety of Asians in Texas.
On April 23, 2023, Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) issued a statement that "CALDA has already started the preparation of the legal challenges, and is now working with ACLU and several major law firms to join forces. Our plan is to file lawsuits as soon as any of these bills are passed, and we will not stop fighting until all of these laws are overturned." CALDA led the successful lawsuit against the ban of WeChat under the Trump administration.
On April 22, 2023, Texas statewide civil rights rallies were held against SB147 and SB552 in Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.
On March 3/27-28, 2023, UCA Action, the C4 arm of United Chinese Americans (UCA), put up 14 feet high and 48 feet wide "No SB147. No Discrimination." billboards on major highways near the city center in Houston and Austin.
On March 17, 2023, Congressman Al Green started weekly meetings at 8:30 a.m. every Saturday with representatives of Chinese, Iranian, Japanese, Korean and Muslim communities and NAACP and formed a new "Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition (TMAC). The first public event will be a rally against SB147 and the State taking over Houston ISD on 5/13.
On March 2, 2023, Texas Independence Day, 129 out of the 139 people testified against Texas Senate Bill 147 at the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee hearing.
On February 19, 2023, Texas State Representative Gene Wu started statewide weekly Town Hall Meetings at 8 p.m. every Sunday to exchange information and coordinate the next step.
On May 26, 2023, Just Security published an essay by Edgar Chen, Senior Policy Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), titled "With New 'Alien Land Laws' Asian Immigrants Are Once Again Targeted by Real Estate Bans."
On April 29, 2023, the Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA) and a broad coalition of organizations including United Chinese Americans led a state-wide rally to protest Florida Senate Bill 264 and House Bill 1355 in Gainesville, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tallahassee, and Tampa.
On April 27, 2023, U.S. Congressman Al Green shared a draft bill "to preempt State prohibitions on real estate purchases by foreign citizens, and for other purposes" that he plans to sponsor and co-authored by Congresswoman Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). Organizations that who would like to endorse the bill may fill out an endorsement form no later than Friday, May 5, 2023, 12 p.m. ET.
On April 27, 2023, multiple media including Channel 2-TV, Houston Public Media, Houston Chronicle and Texas Tribune reported protests against the passing of Senate Bill 147 to the Texas House.
On April 26, 2023, a "watered-down" version of Texas Senate Bill 147 was sent to the Texas House on a 19-12 vote. Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, thanked Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, for narrowing her bill but said he could not support an effort that has encouraged racists and jeopardized the safety of Asians in Texas.
On April 23, 2023, Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) issued a statement that "CALDA has already started the preparation of the legal challenges, and is now working with ACLU and several major law firms to join forces. Our plan is to file lawsuits as soon as any of these bills are passed, and we will not stop fighting until all of these laws are overturned." CALDA led the successful lawsuit against the ban of WeChat under the Trump administration.
On April 22, 2023, Texas statewide civil rights rallies were held against SB147 and SB552 in Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.
On March 3/27-28, 2023, UCA Action, the C4 arm of United Chinese Americans (UCA), put up 14 feet high and 48 feet wide "No SB147. No Discrimination." billboards on major highways near the city center in Houston and Austin.
On March 17, 2023, Congressman Al Green started weekly meetings at 8:30 a.m. every Saturday with representatives of Chinese, Iranian, Japanese, Korean and Muslim communities and NAACP and formed a new "Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition (TMAC). The first public event will be a rally against SB147 and the State taking over Houston ISD on 5/13.
On March 2, 2023, Texas Independence Day, 129 out of the 139 people testified against Texas Senate Bill 147 at the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee hearing.
On February 19, 2023, Texas State Representative Gene Wu started statewide weekly Town Hall Meetings at 8 p.m. every Sunday to exchange information and coordinate the next step.
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WHAT: Webinar - "Historical Re-Hash: Alien Land Law and SB147"
REGISTRATION: http://bit.ly/3Id2uGp or scan QR code in poster WHEN: Wednesday, March 1, 2023, starting at 6:30 pm ET WHO: Opening Remarks
SPONSORS: 1882 Foundation, APA Justice, United Chinese Americans |
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WHAT: Webinar - "A Call to Stop SB 147 and All Alien Land Laws"
REGISTRATION: http://bit.ly/3jXSPv9 or scan QR code in poster WHEN: Friday, February 17, 2023, starting at 5:00 pm ET WHO: Opening Remarks
SPONSORS: 1882 Foundation, APA Justice, United Chinese Americans |
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2023/02/11 休斯顿在线: 休斯顿第三波反歧视法案集会/游行创造历史、见证未来！
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2023/01/29 Austin American-Statesman: 'It's about human rights': Rally at Capitol protests Senate proposal to ban land purchases
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2023/01/29 Dallas Morning News: Chinese Americans gather in downtown Dallas to oppose ‘hateful’ state Senate bills
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On November 13, 2022, Texas Senator Lois Kolkhorst introduced Texas Bill Senate Bill 147 on "Relating to the purchase of or acquisition of title to real property by certain aliens or foreign entities." It prohibits not only governmental and certain entities, but also individuals who are citizens of of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia to purchase or otherwise acquire title to real property in Texas, which includes legal permanent residents. The bill was filed after the Texas legislature unanimously passed the “Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act” banning all contracts or agreements with foreign-owned companies related to critical infrastructure in Texas. Governor Greg Abbott signed it into law in 2021.
The Asian American community is mobilizing and organizing to oppose this discriminatory bill.
On January 20, 2023, a commuity rally was held at Fort Bend County Justice Center, in Richmond, Texas. It received wide local media coverage.
“Injustice for one is injustice for all,” Fort Bend County Judge KP George said. “It’s unfathomable that our state leaders, who are elected to serve in the best interest of all of their constituents, would target groups of people from different nations and prohibit them from their right to own property. It’s blatant discrimination.”
Fort Bend County Judge KP George said the bill should concern everyone because additional countries could be added to the list at any point. He also stated that he believed it could have a negative economic impact on the state. Asian American community members who attended the rally held signs that called the bill discriminatory. They said they fear that they will be unable to purchase homes if the bill passes.
"Anyone who is in this country from North Korea is here as a lawful refugee fleeing an oppressive government," State Representative Gene Wu 吳元之 said at the rally. "They are now being punished again for the actions of that oppressive government simply because they come from the same place."
Judge George held a rally at Friday evening on the steps of the Fort Bend County Justice Center, located at 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle in Richmond, Texas. Dozens of people, mainly from Fort Bend County’s Asian population, were in attendance. State Representative Gene Wu, Representative Ron Reynolds, Representative Sulemam Lalani and U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee were also present.
“This blatantly racist and xenophobic piece of legislation is exactly what we expect coming from what is anticipated to be the most conservative session we’ve seen in Texas,” said Harris County Democratic Party Chair, Odus Evbagharu. “The Senator claims she wants Texans to control Texas land while being elected to serve some of the most diverse places in not only the state but the country. Bills like this only seek to further alienate groups of people and promote fear-mongering.”
On January 23, 2023, a rally was held at the Houston City Hall. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner was in attendance during the press conference. He said with Houston being a very diverse city, the bill would affect a lot of individuals who immigrated here from those targeted countries.
"Senate Bill 147 is just down right wrong," he said. "It is more divisive than anything else. Houston, the most diverse city in the United States, stands as one to say that we all should stand against 147 – this is not the way to start 2023."
“After an unprecedented rise in anti-Asian hate around the nation, our communities continue to struggle against not only violence within our society, but with political persecution as well," State Representative Gene Wu said in a statement. “SB 147 is discriminatory, hateful, and brings back painful reminders of laws passed a hundred years ago that specifically prevented Chinese individuals from owning property, starting businesses, or even marrying the person they love."
Wu is an Asian-American who immigrated from China as a child. He said his family moved here to have a better life for themselves, not to be targeted.
On January 29, 2023, two Anti-Asian Bill Rallies were held in Austin and Dallas, Texas. On January 31, 2023, an Anti-Asian Rally and March was held in Houston.
Watch this webpage for continuing developments.
References and Links
Original Texas Bill SB 147
2023/07/18 National Iranian American Council: NIAC Statement of Support for Florida Lawsuit and Rally against S.B. 264
NAPABA: Statement on Florida hearing on whether to grant a preliminary injunction against Florida’s Alien Land Law
2023/05/29 KHOU-11: Gov. Abbott calls special session to focus on property taxes, border security
2023/05/24 AsAmNews: Texas Chinese land ban appears defeated.
2023/05/22 NAPABA: Statement on Alabama House Bill 379
2023/05/11 AP News: South Carolina General Assembly to go into overtime on abortion, other issues
2023/05/05 Morning Joe: Florida bill seeking to ban Chinese citizens from owning land passes House (video 3:52)
2023/05/04 Tampa Bay Times: Bill restricting Chinese from buying Florida land passes House
2023/05/03 Los Angeles Times Opinion: Florida revives an 1850s strategy to exclude Chinese immigrants
2023/04/28 Texas Tribune: Watch: Texas immigrants “shocked” by bill that would have prevented them from buying homes
2023/04/27 Houston Chronicle: Katy protestors gather opposing bill to ban Chinese...
Draft: Preemption of Real Property Discrimination Act
CAPAC: Endorsement form for Preemption of Real Property Discrimination Act
2023/04/23 CALDA: Plan to Overturn The Discriminatory Laws Against Chinese Americans
2023/04/20 Texas Observer: Turning Anti-Asian Hate Into Law
Tallahassee Democrat: 'Terrified': Chinese protesters tell Florida lawmakers bill threatens their 'American dream'
2023/03/21 星𡷊日報: 譴責德州種族主義SB147 陳詩敏決議案委員會過關
2023/03/03 Houston Public Media: Texas senators, facing criticism, soften proposed ban on Chinese purchases of land
2023/03/01 NPR: China is buying up more U.S. farmland. Some lawmakers consider that a security threat
NBC News: Texas bill will no longer aim to ban Chinese citizens from buying homes, state senator says
星𡷊日報: 德州法案禁中國公民買屋 陳詩敏譴責種族主義違憲
2023/02/025 MSNBC: Texas proposes banning Chinese citizens from owning state land
2023/02/23 San Francisco Standard: Texas Bill Barring Chinese Real Estate Ownership Renews Anti-Asian Racism Debate
2023/02/22 Washington Post: Anti-Asian bigotry is behind a Texas land bill
2023/02/18 CNN: History repeats itself with anti-China land ownership proposals
2023/02/17 San Francisco Chronicle: While Florida targets Black history, Texas Republicans plan to make life miserable for Asian Americans
KVuE: Texas bill banning foreign citizens from buying land sparks outrage in Austin
2023/02/16 NBC News: Chinese citizens in Texas are incensed over a proposal to ban them from buying property in the state
2023/02/13 South China Morning Post: Citing security risks, US states move to bar Chinese land purchases and projects with China ties
2023/02/11 休斯顿在线: 休斯顿第三波反歧视法案集会/游行创造历史、见证未来！
Click2Houston: Asian American community members and elected officials speak out against Senate Bill 147
2023/02/10 NBC News: Chinese citizens in Texas are incensed over a proposal to ban them from buying property in the state
2023/02/09 APA Justice Newsletter Issue#165: Ongoing Anti-Discrimination Efforts Stemming From Texas Senate Bills 147 and 552
Yahoo News: Texas, other US states mull ban on Chinese buying land
USA Today: Spy fears spark flurry of proposed laws aiming to ban Chinese land ownership
2023/02/08 Los Angeles Times: A bill banning Chinese citizens from buying property has some wondering ifthey’re welcome in Texas
2023/02/07 New York Times: How U.S.-China Tensions Could Affect Who Buys The House Next Door
纽约时报中文网: 美中关系阴影难消，得州拟禁止中国公民及企业买房购地
紐約時報中文網: 美中關係陰影難消，得州擬禁止中國公民及企業買房購地
2023/02/06 Reason Magazine: This Texas Bill Could Bar Certain Immigrants From Buying Property in the State
2023/02/02 达拉斯华人联盟DFWCA: 德州参议院委员会今成立！打电话给议员反对SB147和SB552
2023/02/01 Forbes: Texas Bill: Many Immigrants, H-1B Visa Holders Can’t Buy Property
2023/01/31 Yahoo News: Hundreds of Chinese Americans protest in Dallas against 'discriminatory' Texas Senate bills
2023/01/29 Dallas Morning News: Chinese Americans gather in downtown Dallas to oppose ‘hateful’ state Senate bills
Austin American-Statesman: 'It's about human rights': Rally at Capitol protests Senate proposal to ban land purchases
KVUE: Rally held against SB 147 (video 1:13)
2023/01/27 KHOU-11: Houston restaurant owner speaks out against controversial Texas bill
2023/01/25 KVUE: Democratic lawmakers call Senate bill to limit foreigners' right to buy Texas property 'discriminatory,' 'bigoted'
2023/01/23 Houston Public Media: Local, state officials condemn proposed bill that forbids people, businesses from certain countries from owning Texas land
Houston Chronicle: Abbott's proposed Texas land ban SB 147 decried by Houston protesters
Click2Houston: Mayor Turner joins voices condemning SB 147, legislation called ‘racist’ that aims to ban citizens, businesses from China, Iran, North Korea, Russia from purchasing land in Texas
ABC-13: Fight continues against SB 147, bill prohibiting citizens from 4 countries from buying land in Texas
Fox-26: Houston lawmakers join hands to denounce SB 147
Fox-7: Officials condemn SB 147 that forbids people, businesses from certain countries from owning Texas land
KHOU-11: 'This is just a bad bill' | Houston city leaders join in protest against SB 147
休士頓論壇: Jimmy Ma ft. Gene Wu on Texas Land Ban SB 147/ 馬健專訪德州眾議員吳元之、德州SB 147 法案禁止中國人置產 (video 20:07)
2023/01/20 Weixin: 抵制变相排华SB147法案！奥斯汀集会通知！游行Slogan火热征集中！
KHOU-11: Tensions erupt during rally against SB 147 in Fort Bend County
Texas Tribune: Bill to ban Chinese citizens and government from buying Texas land gains steam among Republicans
ABC-13: Tensions run high over proposed senate bill that could limit foreigners' right to buy property
Click2Houston: Local officials speak out against ‘racist’ bill banning citizens, businesses from China, Iran, North Korea, Russia from purchasing land in Texas
2023/01/15 The Center Square: New bill would ban certain foreign entities from purchasing land in Texas
2022/08/12 Bloomberg Opinion: Don’t Ban Chinese Investment in US Farmland
The Asian American community is mobilizing and organizing to oppose this discriminatory bill.
On January 20, 2023, a commuity rally was held at Fort Bend County Justice Center, in Richmond, Texas. It received wide local media coverage.
“Injustice for one is injustice for all,” Fort Bend County Judge KP George said. “It’s unfathomable that our state leaders, who are elected to serve in the best interest of all of their constituents, would target groups of people from different nations and prohibit them from their right to own property. It’s blatant discrimination.”
Fort Bend County Judge KP George said the bill should concern everyone because additional countries could be added to the list at any point. He also stated that he believed it could have a negative economic impact on the state. Asian American community members who attended the rally held signs that called the bill discriminatory. They said they fear that they will be unable to purchase homes if the bill passes.
"Anyone who is in this country from North Korea is here as a lawful refugee fleeing an oppressive government," State Representative Gene Wu 吳元之 said at the rally. "They are now being punished again for the actions of that oppressive government simply because they come from the same place."
Judge George held a rally at Friday evening on the steps of the Fort Bend County Justice Center, located at 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle in Richmond, Texas. Dozens of people, mainly from Fort Bend County’s Asian population, were in attendance. State Representative Gene Wu, Representative Ron Reynolds, Representative Sulemam Lalani and U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee were also present.
“This blatantly racist and xenophobic piece of legislation is exactly what we expect coming from what is anticipated to be the most conservative session we’ve seen in Texas,” said Harris County Democratic Party Chair, Odus Evbagharu. “The Senator claims she wants Texans to control Texas land while being elected to serve some of the most diverse places in not only the state but the country. Bills like this only seek to further alienate groups of people and promote fear-mongering.”
On January 23, 2023, a rally was held at the Houston City Hall. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner was in attendance during the press conference. He said with Houston being a very diverse city, the bill would affect a lot of individuals who immigrated here from those targeted countries.
"Senate Bill 147 is just down right wrong," he said. "It is more divisive than anything else. Houston, the most diverse city in the United States, stands as one to say that we all should stand against 147 – this is not the way to start 2023."
“After an unprecedented rise in anti-Asian hate around the nation, our communities continue to struggle against not only violence within our society, but with political persecution as well," State Representative Gene Wu said in a statement. “SB 147 is discriminatory, hateful, and brings back painful reminders of laws passed a hundred years ago that specifically prevented Chinese individuals from owning property, starting businesses, or even marrying the person they love."
Wu is an Asian-American who immigrated from China as a child. He said his family moved here to have a better life for themselves, not to be targeted.
On January 29, 2023, two Anti-Asian Bill Rallies were held in Austin and Dallas, Texas. On January 31, 2023, an Anti-Asian Rally and March was held in Houston.
Watch this webpage for continuing developments.
References and Links
Original Texas Bill SB 147
2023/07/18 National Iranian American Council: NIAC Statement of Support for Florida Lawsuit and Rally against S.B. 264
NAPABA: Statement on Florida hearing on whether to grant a preliminary injunction against Florida’s Alien Land Law
2023/05/29 KHOU-11: Gov. Abbott calls special session to focus on property taxes, border security
2023/05/24 AsAmNews: Texas Chinese land ban appears defeated.
2023/05/22 NAPABA: Statement on Alabama House Bill 379
2023/05/11 AP News: South Carolina General Assembly to go into overtime on abortion, other issues
2023/05/05 Morning Joe: Florida bill seeking to ban Chinese citizens from owning land passes House (video 3:52)
2023/05/04 Tampa Bay Times: Bill restricting Chinese from buying Florida land passes House
2023/05/03 Los Angeles Times Opinion: Florida revives an 1850s strategy to exclude Chinese immigrants
2023/04/28 Texas Tribune: Watch: Texas immigrants “shocked” by bill that would have prevented them from buying homes
2023/04/27 Houston Chronicle: Katy protestors gather opposing bill to ban Chinese...
Draft: Preemption of Real Property Discrimination Act
CAPAC: Endorsement form for Preemption of Real Property Discrimination Act
2023/04/23 CALDA: Plan to Overturn The Discriminatory Laws Against Chinese Americans
2023/04/20 Texas Observer: Turning Anti-Asian Hate Into Law
Tallahassee Democrat: 'Terrified': Chinese protesters tell Florida lawmakers bill threatens their 'American dream'
2023/03/21 星𡷊日報: 譴責德州種族主義SB147 陳詩敏決議案委員會過關
2023/03/03 Houston Public Media: Texas senators, facing criticism, soften proposed ban on Chinese purchases of land
2023/03/01 NPR: China is buying up more U.S. farmland. Some lawmakers consider that a security threat
NBC News: Texas bill will no longer aim to ban Chinese citizens from buying homes, state senator says
星𡷊日報: 德州法案禁中國公民買屋 陳詩敏譴責種族主義違憲
2023/02/025 MSNBC: Texas proposes banning Chinese citizens from owning state land
2023/02/23 San Francisco Standard: Texas Bill Barring Chinese Real Estate Ownership Renews Anti-Asian Racism Debate
2023/02/22 Washington Post: Anti-Asian bigotry is behind a Texas land bill
2023/02/18 CNN: History repeats itself with anti-China land ownership proposals
2023/02/17 San Francisco Chronicle: While Florida targets Black history, Texas Republicans plan to make life miserable for Asian Americans
KVuE: Texas bill banning foreign citizens from buying land sparks outrage in Austin
2023/02/16 NBC News: Chinese citizens in Texas are incensed over a proposal to ban them from buying property in the state
2023/02/13 South China Morning Post: Citing security risks, US states move to bar Chinese land purchases and projects with China ties
2023/02/11 休斯顿在线: 休斯顿第三波反歧视法案集会/游行创造历史、见证未来！
Click2Houston: Asian American community members and elected officials speak out against Senate Bill 147
2023/02/10 NBC News: Chinese citizens in Texas are incensed over a proposal to ban them from buying property in the state
2023/02/09 APA Justice Newsletter Issue#165: Ongoing Anti-Discrimination Efforts Stemming From Texas Senate Bills 147 and 552
Yahoo News: Texas, other US states mull ban on Chinese buying land
USA Today: Spy fears spark flurry of proposed laws aiming to ban Chinese land ownership
2023/02/08 Los Angeles Times: A bill banning Chinese citizens from buying property has some wondering ifthey’re welcome in Texas
2023/02/07 New York Times: How U.S.-China Tensions Could Affect Who Buys The House Next Door
纽约时报中文网: 美中关系阴影难消，得州拟禁止中国公民及企业买房购地
紐約時報中文網: 美中關係陰影難消，得州擬禁止中國公民及企業買房購地
2023/02/06 Reason Magazine: This Texas Bill Could Bar Certain Immigrants From Buying Property in the State
2023/02/02 达拉斯华人联盟DFWCA: 德州参议院委员会今成立！打电话给议员反对SB147和SB552
2023/02/01 Forbes: Texas Bill: Many Immigrants, H-1B Visa Holders Can’t Buy Property
2023/01/31 Yahoo News: Hundreds of Chinese Americans protest in Dallas against 'discriminatory' Texas Senate bills
2023/01/29 Dallas Morning News: Chinese Americans gather in downtown Dallas to oppose ‘hateful’ state Senate bills
Austin American-Statesman: 'It's about human rights': Rally at Capitol protests Senate proposal to ban land purchases
KVUE: Rally held against SB 147 (video 1:13)
2023/01/27 KHOU-11: Houston restaurant owner speaks out against controversial Texas bill
2023/01/25 KVUE: Democratic lawmakers call Senate bill to limit foreigners' right to buy Texas property 'discriminatory,' 'bigoted'
2023/01/23 Houston Public Media: Local, state officials condemn proposed bill that forbids people, businesses from certain countries from owning Texas land
Houston Chronicle: Abbott's proposed Texas land ban SB 147 decried by Houston protesters
Click2Houston: Mayor Turner joins voices condemning SB 147, legislation called ‘racist’ that aims to ban citizens, businesses from China, Iran, North Korea, Russia from purchasing land in Texas
ABC-13: Fight continues against SB 147, bill prohibiting citizens from 4 countries from buying land in Texas
Fox-26: Houston lawmakers join hands to denounce SB 147
Fox-7: Officials condemn SB 147 that forbids people, businesses from certain countries from owning Texas land
KHOU-11: 'This is just a bad bill' | Houston city leaders join in protest against SB 147
休士頓論壇: Jimmy Ma ft. Gene Wu on Texas Land Ban SB 147/ 馬健專訪德州眾議員吳元之、德州SB 147 法案禁止中國人置產 (video 20:07)
2023/01/20 Weixin: 抵制变相排华SB147法案！奥斯汀集会通知！游行Slogan火热征集中！
KHOU-11: Tensions erupt during rally against SB 147 in Fort Bend County
Texas Tribune: Bill to ban Chinese citizens and government from buying Texas land gains steam among Republicans
ABC-13: Tensions run high over proposed senate bill that could limit foreigners' right to buy property
Click2Houston: Local officials speak out against ‘racist’ bill banning citizens, businesses from China, Iran, North Korea, Russia from purchasing land in Texas
2023/01/15 The Center Square: New bill would ban certain foreign entities from purchasing land in Texas
2022/08/12 Bloomberg Opinion: Don’t Ban Chinese Investment in US Farmland
Texas House Bill 1075 and Senate Bill 552
Click on image to view the letter
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On January 23, 2023, Texas Representative Angie Chen Button 陳筱玲announnced that she has joined State Representatives Cody Harris and Jacey Jetton in support of House Bill 1075, recently filed legislation that would prohibit foreign governments or any entity owned or controlled by a foreign government from purchasing agricultural land in Texas.
"Like so many other Texans who immigrated here for a better life, I came to America because it afforded me new opportunities, including the right to own property and freely purchase a safe and stable home in which to rase my family. This is a right that all Texans, regardless of race, color, or creed, should have," stated State Representative Angie Chen Button. Under HB 1075 by Rep. Harris, all individuals and American-owned businesses will maintain their right to purchase ag property in the State of Texas. As filed, the legislation applies to all foreign governments or government-controlled entities equally. On January 23, 2023, Texas Senate Bill 552 was introduced. The title of the bill is "Relating to prohibiting contracts or other agreements with certain foreign-owned companies in connection with agricultural land." |
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According to the Equal Justice Initiative, on May 3, 1913, California enacted the Alien Land Law, barring Asian immigrants from owning land. California tightened the law further in 1920 and 1923, barring the leasing of land and land ownership by American-born children of Asian immigrant parents or by corporations controlled by Asian immigrants.
California did not stand alone. Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming all enacted discriminatory laws restricting Asians’ rights to hold land in America. In 1923, the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed various versions of the discriminatory land laws—and upheld every single one. Most of these discriminatory state laws remained in place until the 1950s, and some even longer. |
Source: Equal Justice Initiative
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References and Links
Equal Justice Initiative: May 3, 1913 - California Law Prohibits Asian Immigrants from Owning Land
Immigration History: Alien Land Laws In California (1913 & 1920)
Wikipedia: California Alien Land Law of 1913
Equal Justice Initiative: May 3, 1913 - California Law Prohibits Asian Immigrants from Owning Land
Immigration History: Alien Land Laws In California (1913 & 1920)
Wikipedia: California Alien Land Law of 1913