Anti-Alien Land Laws
Asian Texans for Justice Condemns SB17
We Belong Here.
Texas lawmakers are once again targeting immigrant communities. SB17 is a direct attack on our right to live, work, and thrive in this state. It’s not about security—it’s about exclusion. It targets immigrant communities, fuels racial profiling, and denies thousands of Texans the right to own property based on nationality.Texas thrives because of its diversity, not despite it.
This bill sends a clear message: Some Texans are less welcome than others. We won’t be silent. We won’t be pushed aside. AAPI and immigrant Texans are watching, organizing, and voting.
We belong here—and we’re not going anywhere.
What is SB17?
Senate Bill 17 is a bill that will prohibit certain foreign entities and individuals from purchasing real property in Texas if the acquisition poses a risk to public health, safety, or welfare. It applies to governmental entities, organizations, and individuals from countries identified as national security risks in the last three Annual Threat Assessments, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The bill defines real property broadly and outlines risks such as corporate espionage or public nuisance. Exceptions include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and resident homesteads. The Attorney General is granted enforcement authority, including investigations and legal action, with potential court-appointed receivership for properties acquired in violation.
Why is this bill alarming?
This bill disproportionately attacks individuals within Asian communities in ways that will further stigmatize and bring harm to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
SB 17 would disproportionately target Chinese foreign nationals and reinforce harmful stereotypes by granting the Attorney General broad discretion to determine “reasonable suspicion” of risk, potentially leading to racial profiling. The bill’s vague definitions of “dangerous disease” and “public nuisance” could unfairly link Chinese immigrants to health threats and minor infractions, echoing historical xenophobia.
By failing to distinguish between individuals and entities, SB 17 risks sweeping in innocent foreign nationals, particularly those on work or student visas, and could discourage Asian immigrants from contributing to Texas’s economy and STEM fields.
The bill’s restrictions on commercial property could also harm Asian-owned businesses, ultimately undermining Texas’s economic competitiveness.
What can you do?
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?
Using ATJ’s SB17 & HB1849 Toolkit, take action by testifying on the bill during a hearing.