Texas Enacts Controversial Property Law Targeting Certain Foreign Nationals

Mon Oct 20 2025 22:33:58 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs SB 17, restricting property ownership for individuals from specific countries, raising concerns about discrimination and economic impact.

Texas has passed Senate Bill 17, a law banning citizens from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing and renting property in the state. Supporters cite national security, while opponents claim it fosters discrimination against Asian-Americans and could adversely affect local businesses. The law raises questions about its implications for civil rights and economic relations, especially considering the historical context of anti-Asian sentiments in U.S. laws.

National security or xenophobia? Texas restricts Chinese owning and renting property

Texas has long felt like home for Jason Yuan, a naturalised US citizen born in China. But recent legislation, known as Senate Bill 17, is shaking his belief in his chosen homeland. The bill will take effect on September 1, restricting individuals and companies from certain nations, including China, from purchasing and renting property in Texas.

Officials argue that this measure is for national security. However, for individuals like Yuan, this sends a clear and discriminatory message—people who look like him are not welcome. Texas Representative Gene Wu, a strong opponent of the bill, stated it promotes anti-Asian sentiment.

SB 17, signed into law on June 20 by Governor Greg Abbott, prohibits individuals from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from acquiring property, stating it is necessary to shield the state from foreign adversaries. Violators could face heavy fines or imprisonment.

The law has sparked outrage among the Chinese community. At least 120,000 individuals from mainland China resided in Texas as of 2023. For many, like recent Texas A&M University graduate Qinlin Li, the bill is reminiscent of discriminatory laws from the past, notably the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

Yuan, whose business relies heavily on the Chinese immigrant community, is concerned about the law's economic consequences. Many potential investors from China are now reconsidering their plans to relocate to Texas.

In contrast, Governor Abbott and supporters of the law defend it as essential for protecting local resources and facilities, citing a controversial purchase of land in proximity to strategic military sites as a motivation behind the legislation. Yet critics argue that it unfairly targets individuals based solely on their nationality or appearance, bringing an alarming resemblance to historical exclusionary policies.

As similar laws emerge across the U.S., the implications of SB 17 extend beyond state lines, potentially affecting the rights and livelihoods of countless individuals while challenging core American values of inclusivity and diversity.