A policy that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed off on earlier this month is putting restrictions on who can and can’t purchase property in Florida.
In the first week of May, DeSantis signed Senate Bill 264 and its companion legislation, House Bill 1355 into law. These bills severely limit the purchasing power of officials, investors and immigrants from “foreign countries of concern” like China, in Florida’s real estate market.
The bills prevent anyone working within the governments of those countries, mainly China and agents of the Chinese Communist Party, from buying Florida farmland and any property within 10 miles of a critical infrastructure facility, like seaports and airports, or a military base.
Some advocacy groups fear the language used in the new laws is too vague and could prevent more than just foreign investors and governments from buying up sunshine state property.
Florida immigration law:Florida House passes sweeping new immigration bill. Here’s what’s in SB 1718:
More on Bill 264:Chinese citizens sue Florida over ‘xenophobic’ property ownership ban
The Florida Asian American Justice Alliance says DeSantis’ new law is ‘deeply discriminatory’
Both the Florida Asian American Justice Alliance and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association released statements in response to Florida’s new property laws, calling DeSantis’ new policy an overreach.
“The legislative overreach in Section 7 of HB1355 and SB264 is both unconstitutional and deeply discriminatory to the AAPI community, equating all Chinese citizens without a Green Card to agents of the Chinese Community Party,” The Florida Asian American Justice Alliance said in a press release. “These bills are heartbreaking. They infringe upon our rights and freedom and will have a negative impact on our families, communities, and economy.”
‘Terrified’:Chinese protesters tell Florida lawmakers bill threatens their ‘American dream’
Are DeSantis’ new property laws unconstitutional?
Last year, Florida had its 14th consecutive year leading the nation in states with the most foreign buyers, which the governor labeled as a “huge problem.” DeSantis isn’t saying that the money being pumped into Florida’s real estate market is bad, just the source of the buying power.
The Florida Asian American Justice Alliance and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association have claimed that due to this discrimination, the anti-Chinese real estate laws are in violation of the equal protection clause in the Constitution’s 14th amendment, as well as “the Florida State Constitution, the Fair Housing Act, and federal and state regulations that protect civil liberties and equal rights for all immigrants.”
Affordable housing in South Florida:How much will I pay? Who qualifies?
Homeowners’ insurance:Dropped by your property insurance provider? A premium spike? Here’s what you can do.
Who can and can’t buy land in Florida, Palm Beach County
Starting on July 1, undocumented immigrants and new citizens with addresses from the following countries will no longer be able to purchase any property within 10 miles of a critical infrastructure facilities, like Palm Beach International Airport, or a military base:
- China
- Russia
- North Korea
- Syria
- Cuba
- Iran
- Venezuela
Over one-quarter of Palm Beach County’s population is made up of foreign-born residents.
Lianna Norman covers trending news in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at lnorman@pbpost.com. You can follow her reporting on social media@LiannaNorman on Twitter.
