by Nari Choi

On Saturday, roughly 50 allies of Asian American Texans—including elected officials and community members alike—gathered on the steps of the Texas Capitol to protest the advancement of two Alien Land bills in the Texas state legislature.

Texas Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) and House Bill 17 (HB 17) seek to restrict—and in some cases, go as far as to ban—real estate ownership by certain foreign nationals. Proponents of the bill claim they are necessary for national security.

Texas House Representative Gene Wu told AsAmNews that it is hard to decide whether SB 17 or HB 17 is worse, but affirmed that these types of laws were “…unconstitutional back then and are unconstitutional now, but they (the Texas Legislature) still insist on doing it.”

SB 17, which passed in the Texas Senate on Thursday would “restrict or prohibit individuals, businesses and government agencies from China, Iran, North Korea and Russia from purchasing real estate in Texas.” It includes a very rare provision from World War II called an ‘in-rem’: a legal concept that permits the ability to take one’s property without notifying them or giving them the agency to dispute their ownership of the seized property.

HB 17 would prohibit H1B, L1 and other visa holders. It also includes criminal penalties for certain foreign nationals and entities that violate the restrictions placed on real estate ownership, which SB 17 does not include. These penalties include potential criminal charges (a state jail felony for individuals), while companies may be charged substantial fines (either $250,000 or 50% of the property’s market value).

Rep. Wu raises concerns that, as people can not tell the difference between Asian American ethnicities based on looks, nor determine their immigration status, real estate agents will not want to sell to Asian Americans for fear of being criminalized.

At the rally, Sameer Shah (President of the Indian American Coalition of Texas) addressed the crowd, asserting that limiting or preventing property ownership by Asians is a ploy to diminish their economic power, as “…houses and property are some of the best ways that we can transfer multigenerational wealth.”

Shah, having served in the U.S. military, voiced the importance he places on national security, and argued that “…if this bill was really about national security, then it wouldn’t be about race…”. But rather, it would seek to identify those buying property in sensitive areas, regardless of their identity.

Also at the rally, Alice Yi (Co-Founder of Asian Texas for Justice) expressed her gladness that “…our community is ready and willing to learn how to protect their civil rights.” Regardless of approximately 2 million Asian American Pacific Islanders living in Texas, and Asian Americans being the fastest-growing racial group in Texas, Yi finds that, “…the bill profiles us, and regards us as 3rd class citizens.” She stresses the importance of media support from the Asian American community and allies outside of Texas to combat the advancement of these bills.

“If we don’t stand up for today’s bill, maybe tomorrow it is going to target somebody else,” she said.

Taipei Shue, President of United Chinese Americans (UCA), came all the way from Washington, DC, to help and support this rally.

“Chinese Americans are Americans, and we should be treated equally. There is absolutely no discrimination in this country,” he said in an interview with AsAmNews. 

He also expressed the hope that “…the Chinese community will get mobilized to fight for their own fate.” Though he recognizes the importance of financial support in opposing the advancement of SB17 and HB17, Taipei Shue emphasizes the need for moral support. He exclaims that moral support acts as a “backbone” for the advocacy by the Chinese American community in Texas.

Rep. Gene Wu echoed the message expressed by fellow AAPI community leaders, members, and allies at the protest, stating that rallying against these bills is just “…one part of a very large fight for the survival of Asian people in this country.” He explains that many do not want to believe that there are powerful forces that do not want Asian people here because “…Asian Americans are taking so many spots in colleges and jobs.” 

Additionally, he explains that elected officials believe it is acceptable to pass these bills, as they are saying that “…no one is speaking up.” He asked people to express their opposition to SB 17 and HB 17 by calling their state representatives and senators.

“If we do not fight back, this will be the end,” Wu said.

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