A US appeals court upheld Florida’s law restricting Chinese citizens from purchasing property, rejecting claims of discrimination and federal law violations.
ATLANTA: A US appeals court has cleared Florida to enforce a law banning Chinese citizens from purchasing property in the state.
The 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected claims that the 2023 law violates federal statutes and discriminates against Asian individuals.
Tuesday’s 2-1 ruling could encourage other states to adopt similar foreign property ownership restrictions.
The court found that four Chinese citizens represented by the American Civil Liberties Union lacked standing to challenge the legislation.
Circuit Judge Robert Luck wrote that national security concerns motivated the law’s enactment.
The ACLU called the decision disappointing and vowed to continue fighting laws targeting immigrants based on national origin.
Florida’s law prohibits individuals domiciled in China who lack US citizenship or green cards from buying real estate.
It allows certain visa holders and asylum recipients to purchase one residential property under specific conditions.
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis said the 2023 law would protect Americans from Chinese Communist Party influence.
Judges Robert Luck and Barbara Lagoa, both Republican appointees, formed the majority opinion.
Circuit Judge Charles Wilson dissented, arguing that foreign investment regulation belongs to the federal government.
More than 30 states have passed or considered bills restricting foreign property ownership.
The ruling reverses a previous decision that had blocked enforcement pending appeal. – Reuters
