(TheRedWire.com) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation that would ban Chinese citizens from being able to purchase land in Florida, while also restricting the ability of people originating from “countries of concern” from purchasing land in Florida.
During a press conference following the signing of the bill on Monday, DeSantis stated that they did not want the Chinese Communist Party in Florida and that they would work to maintain the state’s freedom. The Republican governor also pointed out that there are concerns about the efforts of the Chinese Communist Party to purchase farmland across the nation, adding that they did not want food production in the U.S. to fall into the hands of the CCP.
As of 2020, China owned 352,140 acres of U.S. land according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That marks 1 percent of total foreign-held acres, while Canadian investors owned 12.4 million acres that year.
Senate Bill 264 would also ban those from Russia, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela, which are determined to be “countries of concern” from being allowed to own properties that are within 10 miles of military bases and critical infrastructures, including airports and power plants. However, only Chinese residents are banned from purchasing land across the state.
The bill was opposed by dozens of Chinese Americans last month, with many claiming that the bill could lead to discrimination, and pointing out that it might lead to them being unable to buy homes if they are not yet lawful permanent residents in the U.S. H-1B visa holder Zihua Hé stated that once the bill passes, she would effectively be prohibited from purchasing a house in Florida.
Texas is not the only state to be considering such measures. Sen. Tom Cotton has also introduced national legislation which would ban those with connections to China from being allowed to buy real estate in America.
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