The repercussions of a Florida law implemented last summer, which prohibits Chinese nationals from purchasing or owning homes or land in much of the state, have frustrated many individuals.
“We are again experiencing what can happen when elected officials stoke fear through racist rhetoric and policy,” said protester Shanti Elise Prasad.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law in May 2023, restricting non-U.S. citizens from China and other countries of concern, including Cuba, Venezuela, Iran and Russia, as he aimed to address federal issues.
“Airports, power plants, telecom systems and other critical infrastructure will not be compromised by CCP (the Chinese Communist Party) or any foreign adversary,” said DeSantis back in May 2023.
“There is no evidence in the record of any nexus between Chinese home ownership and harm to national security. The evidence just isn’t there,” said American Civil Liberties Union attorney Ashley Gorski.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, titled Shen vs. Simpson, are four Chinese citizens who live, work, and are raising families in Florida but are prevented from buying homes, along with a real estate firm experiencing loss of business.
“Those who are here are innocent. They are different from the Chinese government,” said real estate attorney Hongwei Shang.
The attorney representing the state argued that it’s not about race, but about national security. There has been no ruling on the injunction yet.