Texas restricts Chinese owning and renting property
12 days ago
- #Texas
- #property-law
- #Chinese-Americans
- Texas Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) restricts individuals and companies from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing or renting property in Texas, effective 1 September 2025.
- The bill is justified by Texas officials as a measure to protect national security, but critics argue it is discriminatory, particularly against Chinese-Americans.
- SB 17 prohibits property acquisitions, including homes, commercial spaces, and agricultural land, and limits rental periods to less than one year for individuals from the targeted countries.
- Violators of the law could face fines exceeding $250,000 or jail terms, though US citizens and green card holders are exempt.
- Opponents, including the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (Calda), have filed lawsuits arguing the law is unconstitutional, but initial legal challenges have been dismissed.
- Chinese nationals, the largest group affected by the law, express concerns over discrimination and the potential impact on their livelihoods and mental health.
- The law could harm Texas businesses, particularly those reliant on Chinese investment, with reports of Chinese companies reconsidering investments in the state.
- Historical context is provided, comparing SB 17 to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, which barred Chinese laborers from immigrating to the US.
- Supporters of the bill, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott, argue it is necessary to protect against foreign adversaries, citing concerns over Chinese surveillance and espionage.
- The law is part of a broader national trend, with 26 states passing similar restrictions on foreign property ownership, primarily targeting China since 2021.