Texas has enacted a new law prohibiting land and property purchases by individuals and entities from countries deemed adversaries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Signed by Governor Greg Abbott, Senate Bill 17 aims to protect national security, though critics warn it risks racial profiling and arbitrary enforcement. The law goes into effect September 1 and includes exemptions for U.S. citizens and legal residents.
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Texas Enacts Land Ban
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed Senate Bill 17 into law, making the state the latest to restrict property ownership by foreign nationals from adversarial nations. The bill specifically bars China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from acquiring “real property” in Texas, including agricultural, residential, industrial, and mining-related land. The measure aligns with national security concerns outlined in the 2025 Annual Threat Assessment.
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Law Targets Key Sectors
The law defines “real property” broadly to include land used for farming, residential and commercial buildings, mining operations, and water-related resources. It comes amid growing concern over foreign influence in strategic sectors and near sensitive sites. The bill’s passage reflects a heightened urgency to secure land assets from potential foreign surveillance or control.
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Exemptions Under the Law
While the ban is strict, it includes notable exemptions. U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and foreign nationals legally residing in the country are allowed to buy a primary residence. Lease agreements under one year are also not restricted. The Texas attorney general is authorized to investigate violations, which may be prosecuted as felonies.
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Critics Warn of Profiling
The bill has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights organizations. Asian Americans Advancing Justice expressed being “outraged” by the legislation, claiming it “creates an overly broad net that places innocent foreign nationals at risk of racial profiling.” Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs echoed similar concerns earlier this year, saying such laws may lead to “arbitrary enforcement.”
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National Security Cited
Supporters argue the move is necessary for defensive security. Michael Lucci, CEO of the conservative group State Armor Action, praised the bill, saying, “Chinese companies purchasing American land, particularly near sensitive strategic and military sites, is not a coincidence. The CCP is blatantly attempting to base espionage efforts, and potentially worse, right in our backyard.” He called on more states to adopt similar measures.
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Broader National Trend
Texas joins 24 other states that have passed similar restrictions, up from 22 in March, according to the Committee of 100. Several more bills are pending at both the state and federal levels. Currently, 15 federal bills addressing foreign ownership of U.S. property are under consideration, indicating growing bipartisan concern over national asset protection.
Federal Action Advances
In Washington, lawmakers introduced a new bill to increase federal oversight of foreign farmland purchases. The proposal would add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and require the USDA to report all agricultural land purchases by adversarial foreign actors. Meanwhile, similar bills await gubernatorial approval in New Hampshire and North Carolina.
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