Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

Chinese Nationals Express Anger Over Florida Property Ban

A controversial new property law in Florida has left many Chinese residents feeling marginalized and unwelcome. The legislation, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, prohibits Chinese nationals without U.S. green cards from purchasing property in the state, sparking confusion and frustration among affected individuals.

Jin Bian, a 31-year-old software engineer from Nanjing, China, who has lived in the U.S. for 12 years, found himself in a difficult position after his employer implemented a return-to-office policy. Bian, who had planned to buy a house closer to his Tampa office to cut down on his one-hour commute, was shocked to learn that such a purchase could result in prison time under the new law.

“It was really shocking to me. It’s just purchasing property,” Bian said. “Once I learned that, I didn’t even bother to look anymore.”

The law, Florida Senate Bill 264, took effect on July 1, 2023, and bars Chinese citizens without green cards from buying any property in the state. Additionally, it prohibits citizens of Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria from purchasing property within 10 miles of any military installation or critical infrastructure facility.

Bian and other residents report that the law has created an atmosphere of unease and discrimination. Echo King, a U.S. citizen born in China and president of the Florida Asian American Justice Alliance, expressed her dismay, stating, “We feel like we’re different from everyone else because of this type of law. We feel like we’re not welcome.”

Legal experts and civil rights advocates have criticized the law. Clay Zhu, an attorney working with the American Civil Liberties Union to challenge the legislation, argues that it discriminates based on race, national origin, and visa status. Zhu likened the law to the Chinese Exclusion Act and emphasized the need to differentiate between the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese nationals.

Susan Li, a 47-year-old small business owner in Orlando who holds a green card, echoed these sentiments. Despite her legal residency, Li halted her housing search due to fear of potential legal complications. “I thought maybe it’s too much to bother, so I’m not looking right now,” she said. “No matter if I have a green card or I’m a citizen, I still have a Chinese face.”

The law’s enactment follows heightened U.S.-China tensions, fueled by espionage allegations and geopolitical concerns. These tensions have exacerbated fears among Chinese residents who feel unfairly targeted. Bian expressed his frustration, saying, “We’re ordinary people. We don’t talk about these political things. I think 99.99% of people here just want to have a good life.”

The fallout from SB 264 has also impacted the real estate market. Teresa Jin, a mortgage lender in Florida, noted that the vague legal language has created uncertainty, leading some lenders to refuse working with clients holding Chinese passports, even if they are legal residents. “The law has caused us so much confusion,” she said. “It definitely hurts business.”

As legal challenges to the law continue, many affected residents are considering relocating to states without such restrictions. Bian, hopeful for a legal reversal, plans to stay for now but is prepared to move back to California if the situation doesn’t improve. “I don’t think California will ever have this kind of law,” he said.

The controversy surrounding Florida’s property ban highlights the ongoing struggle for fairness and inclusion in the face of geopolitical tensions and legislative actions.

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