Anti-Alien Land Laws

Statement From ATJ

We are disappointed that the Texas Senate has passed SB 147 on the Senate floor. Since November, the rhetoric used in discussing this legislation has been rooted in xenophobia and racism. No amendments can undo the harm already caused to the AAPI community in Texas.

There is a long, dark history of anti-alien laws in Texas. Instead of learning from the mistakes of our past, the Texas Senate has doubled down on discriminatory bills this session. To be clear, SB147 is not about national security or protecting agriculture and mineral rights. This bill seeks to alienate and “other” Texans who live, work, and contribute to our state.

AAPIs are the fastest-growing racial group in Texas. The 88th Legislature has had an opportunity to pass legislation that would improve the quality of life for the 1.9 million AAPIs who live here. Instead, they have chosen divisive policies and AAPI voters will remember this at the ballot box.

What is SB 51?

Senate Bill 51, formerly known as SB 147 in the regular session, has been filed in the Texas Legislature’s special session. Authored by Senator Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham and parts of Houston, this bill would conflate individuals with their government, barring governments, entities, and individuals from certain countries from purchasing certain types of Texas property.

This bill disproportionately attacks individuals within Asian communities in ways that will further stigmatize and bring harm to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Violence against Asian communities continues throughout the country, and demonizing those of Asian descent will only bring further harm.

Why is this
bill alarming?

  • While the bill language does not name specific nationalities, it specifies the countries impacted are those on the Annual Threat Assessment list – the majority of which are Asian countries. This is rooted in xenophobia and racism.

  • It unfairly penalizes individuals and conflates them with government entities. North Koreans in the U.S. are largely made up of those who are fleeing their government.

  • China only held 0.9% of total foreign-owned U.S. agricultural land by the end of 2021

  • It creates barriers to economic development in Texas for individuals who contribute to our state through labor, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

What can
you do?

  1. Sign on to Asian Texans for Justice’s petition opposing this bill and to receive updates on this legislation: https://bit.ly/SB51Form

  2. Contact your Texas Senator and Texas House representative and let them know that you oppose this legislation. Find your state representative and senator here: Who Represents Me?

  3. Using ATJ’s SB51 Toolkit, take action by testifying on the bill during a hearing: https://bit.ly/sb51toolkit