Texas Republicans renew push for Chinese land ownership ban

GOP lawmakers in Texas are moving forward with legislation to restrict foreign land ownership in the state, targeting China and other countries deemed hostile to U.S. interests. The move, which follows efforts introduced in recent years, reignites a debate centered on discrimination and civil rights, especially among Asian American communities.

State Rep. Cole Hefner, who chaired the House Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations, filed a bill on Jan. 15 that would prohibit land sales to the governments of China, Iran, North Korea and Russia, as well as companies headquartered in those countries. The legislation mirrors previous efforts by Republican state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst.

“For too long, America’s enemies have employed the strategic purchase of land as a key cog in their broader strategy of unrestricted warfare,” Hefner said in a statement. “Texas must — and will — ban Communist China and other foreign adversaries from owning Texas land.”

House Bill 1849, which aims to “Protect Texas Land,” would give Gov. Greg Abbott the authority to add countries to the restricted list, while focusing more narrowly on governments rather than individuals. However, non-U.S. citizens living permanently in designated countries would still be affected by the ban.

It would also empower the Texas attorney general to investigate and enforce the law. Violations could result in significant penalties, including fines of up to $250,000 or 50% of the property’s market value.

In 2023, Kolkhorst’s Senate Bill 147 faced significant opposition and ultimately failed. The original bill would have prevented individuals from China, Iran, North Korea and Russia from buying property, but was later modified to exclude dual citizens and permanent residents after widespread protests.

Kolkhorst defended her proposal in committee hearings, saying she “rejects any notion” that SB 147 is racist. “I come before you as a liberty-lover and someone that wants to protect our food security, our mineral security and the future of our great state,” she noted.

The legislative efforts have galvanized unprecedented political engagement among Asian Americans in Texas, particularly within Chinese American communities. Wei Li, a college professor who has lived in the U.S. for 17 years, testified in March 2023: “It scoffs at me: ‘Sorry, you’re not Texan. People like you would not even deserve to own a home.’”

As of July 2024, the Committee of 100, a non-partisan Chinese American civic group, reported that 151 bills restricting property ownership by foreign entities have been considered at the state and national levels, with 71 specifically targeting Chinese citizens. The organization is urging Texas legislators to reconsider their actions.

“We strongly urge Texas lawmakers to reconsider their efforts for a wholesale ban on private indiiduals and companies from China and other countries from purchasing property in the state,” Interim President Cindy Tsai said in a statement to The Rebel Yellow. “Such legislations foster unwarranted suspicion of people based solely on their nationality and reinforces harmful, sinophobic narratives. Rather than creating barriers that isolate communities, we encourage state leaders to pursue inclusive solutions that strengthen security without undermining fundamental rights. We welcome the opportunity to work together to prevent future harms to the AAPI community and to advance a shared vision of a safer, more united America.”

While proponents argue the measures are necessary for national security, critics maintain the legislation is discriminatory and potentially ineffective. Nationwide, Chinese land ownership peaked at 383,935 acres (155,737 hectares) in 2021, according to latest USDA figures. It has since been on the decline, dropping 27% between 2022 and 2023. Canada, the Netherlands and Italy accounted for the largest foreign land ownership in the same period.

Texas State Rep. Gene Wu, who leads the House Democratic Caucus, warned about the broader implications of the new legislation. “The intent is to send a clear message of, you’re not welcome here. You people are not welcome here,” Wu said, as per the Houston Chronicle. Drawing parallels to historical precedents, the official noted that land ownership laws were among the first restrictions that led to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

The legislative push also comes amid broader efforts by Texas leadership to address perceived threats from China. In November 2024, Abbott issued an executive order directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to target individuals executing influence operations on behalf of the Chinese government, particularly focusing on “Operation Fox Hunt,” which has been used to harass Chinese pro-democracy activists and forcibly repatriate dissidents.

“The Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a worldwide harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents in attempts to forcibly return them to China. Texas will not tolerate the harassment or coercion of the more than 250,000 individuals of Chinese descent who legally call Texas home by the Chinese Communist Party or its heinous proxies,” Abbott said in a news release.

Hefner’s bill comes against a backdrop of increasing tensions between the U.S. and China, most recently triggered by President Donald Trump’s trade policy. While Texas celebrated Chinese investments and sought deeper commercial ties as recently as 2017, relations have cooled significantly. Last year, Abbott ordered state agencies to divest all stakes in China.

Similar legislation in Florida has faced legal challenges, with a federal court partially blocking the state’s foreign land ownership ban. The case remains pending, with judges indicating potential conflicts with federal law governing foreign investment review.

The political implications could be significant, particularly in upcoming elections. Texas is home to one of the fastest-growing Asian American populations in the country — a demographic that has been critical in turning previously Republican-dominated states like Georgia competitive in recent national elections.

With House Bill 1849 slated for potential implementation in September, advocacy groups are expected to mobilize to address what they see as a new incarnation of a discriminatory legislation.

This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices.

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