A Dark Day In America – Florida Governor DeSantis signs a law prohibiting Chinese nationals from buying land in Florida
On Monday, the Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis signed a law that limits land purchases by Chinese citizens.
Governor DeSantis signed the bill SB 264 that limits land purchases by residents of “countries of concern”. These include China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, and Syria. It prohibits residents and companies from these countries from purchasing or owning agricultural land or any land within 10 miles of a military base or critical infrastructure facility like airports, seaports or waste water treatment plants. Current owners have to register the property with the state by January 1st. Failure to do so will result in a $1000 per day fine or having the property seized by the state.
The law specifically singles out Chinese nationals and companies since it prohibits them from owning land in the state unless they are a permanent resident or an US citizen.
Another law Governor DeSantis signed the same day prohibit universities in Florida from accepting any funds from China. Neither institutions nor staff can accept gifts or grants or sign agreements with colleges based in “countries of concern”. The law also forbids faculty exchange programs and dual degree programs.
The third law prohibits the use of TikTok and other Chinese apps on school and government servers.
Ding Ding TV interviewed Haipei Shue (President, United Chinese Americans) and Anders Fung (Millbrae City Councilmember) and asked for their comments on the news.
UCA Calls for National Action Against Discriminatory Florida Law
May 9, 2023 — Yesterday, Florida Governor DeSantis signed into law Senate Bill 264, legislation that, among other things, prohibits Chinese nationals from acquiring real property in the state based solely on race, ethnicity and country of origin, ostensibly in the name of national security.
The United Chinese Americans (UCA), a national coalition representing Americans of Chinese descent, believes the new law to be in violation of the equal protection guaranteed by 14th Amendment to the Constitution and of the Federal Fair Housing Act. UCA deems this law also dangerous because it would legitimize and normalize discriminatory practice and racist behaviors towards Asian Americans.
With the passage of this blatant act of official discrimination against Chinese and other Asian nationals, Florida, at the urging of its governor, follows in the repugnant and discredited tradition of the Chinese Exclusion Act, enacted nearly 150 years ago to bar the entry of Chinese laborers into the U.S., the California Alien Land Law, passed more than a century ago to prohibit Asians from owning land in the state, and Presidential Executive Order 9066, issued during World War Two to incarcerate Japanese Americans. This is indeed a dark day in American history.
“No less than other Americans, Chinese Americans have always played an important role in defending our national interests. No one should ever address national security concerns by means of discrimination or by violating our own constitution. This odious measure not only does nothing to enhance national security,” said Haipei Shue, president of UCA, “but also brings us back to the McCarthy era, when politicians fearmongered and maliciously stepped on the rights of innocent Americans. This DeSantis’ bill, in essence, is the race to show ‘Who is tougher on China’ among certain politicians for their own political gains.”
UCA will work with Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA), Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA) and others to challenge this misguided Florida law and see to it that it is struck down by the Federal court or repealed by the people of Florida. We call on Americans in all walks of life, corporations, civic organizations and faith-based groups, to join us condemning this act of blatant discrimination. UCA is calling for any concerned citizen or organization to contact us (info@UCAUSA.org) to work with us in solidarity to defeat this discriminatory law.