DeSantis Signs Bills Banning Chinese Citizens From Buying Land in Florida – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed bills on Monday prohibiting Chinese citizens from purchasing property in the state. In a recent news release, the Republican proclaimed the passage of that bill, as well as two others, to “counteract” what he called the “malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party in the state of Florida.”
One bill prohibits Chinese nationals from purchasing property in Florida unless they are also US citizens or permanent residents. Meanwhile, Chinese citizens with non-tourist visas would be limited to purchasing no more than two acres of land that is at least five miles distant from any military installations, according to Tampa Bay local news outlet WTVT.
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The bill also prohibits foreign citizens from purchasing land in certain instances. The bill prohibits Russian, Iranian, Cuban, Syrian, North Korean, and Venezuelan citizens from purchasing land within 10 miles of military bases, although they can still purchase property elsewhere in Florida, according to Insider.
According to Axios, critics have warned that the plan could promote discrimination against Chinese homeowners in Florida while also damaging other immigrants. More than 100 demonstrators spoke against the measure last month, ahead of its signing, claiming that it would discriminate against Florida’s Chinese community, according to USA Today.
“My concern is this bill will affect people like me who want to own a home,” said Florida college student Victoria Li, through tears. “We’re scared, we’re terrified. That’s what we came here for. We have the American dream. That’s why, at my age, I’m still going to school.”
Another piece of legislation enacted on Monday bars schools and universities, as well as their personnel, from taking gifts while “in their official capacities from a college or university based in a foreign country of concern,” according to the Hill. Before entering into any arrangement or cooperation with an institution in another country, colleges and universities in Florida must obtain approval from the state’s board of governors or board of education.
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According to the Hill, a separate bill prohibits those using government devices and servers from downloading applications such as TikTok, which is owned by a Chinese corporation. “Florida is taking action to stand against the United States’ greatest geopolitical threat – the Chinese Communist party,” DeSantis said. The bills are collectively scheduled to go into effect on 1 July.
