More than three dozen states have enacted or are considering similar laws restricting land purchases by Chinese citizens and companies, arguing that such transactions are a growing threat to national security and that the federal government has failed to stop Chinese Communist Party influence in America.
Florida’s law, which went into effect in July, is among the furthest reaching. In addition to barring Chinese entities from buying agricultural land, it effectively prohibits most Chinese individuals without a green card from purchasing residential property. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the measure just before launching his Republican presidential campaign, warning voters that China represented the biggest threat to the United States.
“Today, Florida makes it very clear: We don’t want the C.C.P. in the Sunshine State,” Mr. DeSantis said last year.
In more than a dozen interviews, Chinese residents in Florida voiced frustrations about being cut off from the ultimate American dream. Other residents of Chinese descent said they faced discrimination as they tried to buy a home. Some said they lived in fear over whether they may have inadvertently violated the law.
Civil rights and Asian American groups are unaware of anyone being charged with violating the law. But some people of Chinese descent said they feel the anti-China sentiment intensifying. The law is currently being challenged in federal court.
@SugaryLionRepublican2wks2W
Can I buy a house in China? No. Can I buy land in China? No. Can I own a company in China? No. Are US based social media companies allowed to Operate in China? No.
And people are complaining about this Florida law? There should be a federal policy that says that if China does not allow US citizens or companies freedom of commerce, then those same laws should apply here. It’s a simple concept actually.
There are some restrictions around the purchase, but you can buy a house in China. China allows foreign buyers of real estate, including housing.
@FabulousOatmealPatriot2wks2W
Can I buy a house in China? No. Can I buy land in China? No. Can I own a company in China? No. Are US based social media companies allowed to Operate in China? No.
And people are complaining about this Florida law? There should be a federal policy that says that if China does not allow US citizens or companies freedom of commerce, then those same laws should apply here. It’s a simple concept actually.
@ContentFreedomForward2wks2W
This is a good law. In many parts of rural America, foreign speculators have bought up all sorts of real-estate- and they just let the properties rot, banking on property values just continuing to rise. They have no actual interest in the community.
@EmptyChameleonDemocrat2wks2W
The exact same applies in the most populous, expensive cities in the country. Those gigantic towering eyesores in NYC? They're all empty--investments for the world's oligarchs and their children.
I don't see the problem with this. Most countries have pretty strict rules around who can buy property, prioritizing citizens. This helps keep property values manageable without foreign investment driving up prices. If anything, I'd love to see this become the norm across all states. I can't just got property wherever I want.
@EagleSophiaDemocrat2wks2W
in California there are large numbers of homes owned by Chinese nationals who do not live in these residences. It is artificially driving up real estate costs at a time when many Americans cannot afford homes here.
I hate to stand with Ron DeSantis, however, I fully agree that enough is enough with foreign purchase of American land. I do not mind foreigners purchasing of a basic vacation home, however, the purchase of multiple homes, majority ownership of US businesses and land other than the acre, or less land a home sits on should be denied. Our government is lax on this and the purchase of land by foreigners in any form is not guaranteed in our Constitution. Many of these countries like China and Russia do not offer this freedom to us, therefore reciprocally, it should be denied of them. At this point Congress must act and any of the afre mentioned purchases by foreign national;s beyond a vacation home of reasonable size should be sold to an American, or American business. If they lose on the sale, so what.
Florida (and all other US States) should have the same policy that China has towards Americans--it's actually reasonable.
1) You can buy a house, but the land belongs to China. You are just leasing it from them.
2) Only one house may be owned, and you have to live in it.
3) You can't rent it out or otherwise profit from it. It's to live in.
Imagine if we applied this rule to ALL foreign buyers. Rampant speculation and money-laundering would go away, and our current housing crisis would ease somewhat. I disagree with Florida's reasoning, but the rule is solid and is not discriminatory. And, by the way, why has that woman lived here for 11 years and is still a citizen of China???
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
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