Former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake criticized Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs for vetoing a bill that would have restricted Chinese land ownership near U.S. military bases, calling the move a national security threat.
Texas moves to block foreign adversaries from buying land
This Article Includes
- 1 Texas moves to block foreign adversaries from buying land
- 2 Related posts
- 3 Man arrested in Boron traffic stop, nearly 3 pounds of drugs, guns and cash found
- 4 Mississippi set to execute state’s longest-serving death row inmate
- 5 Critics denounce new law as discriminatory
- 6 Law includes exemptions and enforcement provisions
- 7 Federal legislation aims to boost oversight
Texas has joined the growing list of states banning land and property purchases by individuals or entities from adversarial nations. Over the weekend, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 17, which prohibits countries identified as security threats in the 2025 Annual Threat Assessment—including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—from acquiring “real property” in the state. This includes agricultural, commercial, industrial, residential land, and areas used for mining or water access.
With global tensions on the rise, U.S. states have taken increased steps to limit foreign asset acquisitions. However, critics argue these measures can be overly broad and discriminatory.
Critics denounce new law as discriminatory
In response to the bill’s signing, Asian Americans Advancing Justice condemned the legislation, saying it casts “an overly broad net that places innocent foreign nationals at risk of racial profiling.”
Arizona’s Gov. Katie Hobbs faced similar criticism when she vetoed a bill to ban Chinese land purchases, citing vague implementation criteria that could lead to arbitrary enforcement. Following backlash, she called the bill “weak on China” and introduced her own version that addressed national security concerns more aggressively.
Law includes exemptions and enforcement provisions
Texas’s bill exempts U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and foreign nationals who legally reside in the U.S. and are buying a primary residence. Lease agreements under one year are also exempt.
The new law gives the Texas attorney general authority to investigate violations, which would be classified as felonies. The law will take effect on September 1.
Supporters of the Texas law point to China’s interest in acquiring land near key military bases, as well as its growing influence in sectors like drones, solar infrastructure, and maritime ports. They argue these acquisitions pose espionage risks and threaten U.S. sovereignty.
Earlier this month, two Chinese nationals were arrested for attempting to smuggle a dangerous biological agent into the U.S., highlighting ongoing security concerns.
“Chinese companies purchasing American land, particularly near sensitive strategic and military sites, is not a coincidence,” said Michael Lucci, CEO of State Armor Action. “The CCP is blatantly attempting to base espionage efforts, and potentially worse, right in our backyard.”
As of June 23, 2025, 25 states have passed laws restricting foreign property ownership—up from 22 in March, according to the Committee of 100. An additional 15 bills are being reviewed at the federal level.
Federal legislation aims to boost oversight
Republicans in Congress introduced a bill Monday to increase scrutiny over foreign purchases of U.S. farmland. The bill would add the U.S. Agriculture Secretary to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and require the Agriculture Department to report any agricultural land transactions by foreign adversaries to CFIUS.
Similar legislation is under consideration in New Hampshire and North Carolina, awaiting approval from their governors.
