Summary
A federal appeals court decided that Florida can enforce its law preventing Chinese citizens from buying property in the state. The law identifies China and several other countries as concerns and restricts property purchases to protect state interests. The American Civil Liberties Union had challenged this law, arguing it was discriminatory, but the court ruled against them.
Key Facts
- Florida has a law that stops Chinese nationals from buying real estate in the state unless they are U.S. citizens or lawful residents.
- The law was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2023 and took effect on July 1, 2023.
- The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the law does not violate federal discrimination laws.
- The American Civil Liberties Union argued the law discriminates against Asians and violates the 14th Amendment and the Fair Housing Act.
- The law was challenged, but the court said ACLU's plaintiffs lacked standing as they were living in Florida, not China.
- Florida considers China a "foreign country of concern" and linked the law to security protections.
- Other countries named in the law include Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria.
