Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi Condemns Unfair Targeting of PRC Nationals by Florida Land Ownership Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), issued a statement following reports of PRC nationals being unfairly targeted for attempting to become homeowners in the state of Florida due to a recent law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. Florida’s Senate Bill 264 would prohibit individuals who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and whose “domicile” is in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from owning or purchasing any real property. Earlier this year, the Department of Justice, in commenting on the extreme nature of the law, stated that it would, “cause serious harm to people simply because of their national origin, contravene federal civil rights laws, undermine constitutional rights, and will not advance the state’s purported goal of increasing public safety.”

“A law preventing grandparents from purchasing a home close to their grandchildren so they can spend time with family does nothing to make America more secure or more competitive against the Chinese Communist Party. The implementation of Florida’s law is ambiguous, unclear, and opens the door for discrimination against all AAPI homebuyers. America has an unfortunate history of actions targeting the AAPI community’s ability to own land; it’s a history we should learn from and seek to not repeat. Protecting the rights of individuals simply attempting to achieve the American Dream should be a bipartisan priority. Florida should repeal this law and Congress should explore actions to ensure the rights of all are fairly protected.”

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