Dozens testify against Texas Alien Land bill

By Randall Yip, Executive Editor

The Chinese community in Texas came out in full force Thursday to testify against a bill that would prevent many of them from buying property or land.

Dozens voiced their opposition to Texas Senate Bill 17 during the Senate hearing of the Committee of State Affairs Thursday evening.

SB17 is a resurrection of a bill defeated last legislative session that restricts the purchase of property by those from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea-nations deemed by the Director of National Intelligence as high security risks.

It does not apply to lawful permanent residents, citizens or asylum seekers.

Recent data from the Committee of 100 found 22 states have passed similar legislation with more considering it.

The bill is authored by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, a Republican who represents a part of the Houston region that has one of the fastest growing Asian communities in the state. Kolkhorst also offered the bill last legislative session which passed the Senate but failed in the House.

“This makes clear the bill ensures food, energy and national security are protected,” said Kolkhorst in explaining her bill. “The bottom line on this is that this bill is about ensuring that Texas land and their natural resources are protected and making sure they don’t fall into the hands of some countries that would not wish us well.”

Asians Texans for Justice has been one of the organizations leading the charge against SB17.

“She’s saying that they want to secure Texas from hostile foreign governments,” said Lily Trieu of Asian Texans for Justice to AsAmNews before Thursday’s hearing. “That being said, we have yet to actually see any evidence that foreign land is concerned. All of the data that I’ve seen is that foreign land ownership by the Chinese government or the Iranian government, it’s pretty minimal.”

One person testified that the bill is a job killer, discouraging investment and taking jobs away from Texas.

“The bill betrays Texas pro-business values and is as stupid as ever,” he said.

Another said she shares the priority of national security, but the bill “violates fundamental rights and undermines the core values that define our democracy. Property ownership is a fundamental right. Restricting it based on nationality sets a dangerous precedent.”

1.5 – 1.7 million Asian Americans live in Texas. It is home to the third largest Asian American population in the country. Opponents says the bill unintentionally “casts every Chinese individual as a potential adversary.”

“This bill echoes historic anti-Asian policies such as the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Alien Land Laws. It will have a disproportionate impact on Asian Americans by associating individuals with their home countries, governments, the bill fosters discrimination and anti-Asian hate,” said Debbie Chen of OCA Greater Houston.

The hearing ended without a vote of the committee.