(HOUSTON, TEXAS, 1/20/23) – The Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned bill SB147 filed in the Texas State Senate that is intended to stop land ownership of Chinese, Russian, North Korean and Iranian nationals.   

The proposed legislation in SB147 would make it illegal for Chinese, Russian, North Korean, and Iranian companies and individuals to own property in Texas.  The law is, at best unclear whether that prohibition would apply to citizens of those countries who are also United States citizens.

SEE: Local officials speak out against ‘racist’ bill banning citizens, businesses from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing land in Texas   

SEE ALSO: Filed, SB147 A bill to prohibit the purchase of or acquisition of title to real property by certain aliens or foreign entities. 

In a statement, CAIR-Houston Director William White said:    

“This unconstitutional and xenophobic bill clarifies why civic engagement in local government is all the more important. This blatantly racist bill, unfortunately, has a real chance of becoming law.  

“We call on the community around Texas to educate their local senators and state representatives about why this bill would adversely affect investment in our state and those fleeing the countries listed to live a better life. If signed into law, this bill would make anti-Asian hate state policy. It would violate the fundamental rights of not only citizens of other countries regardless of their relationship to their governments, but also Green Card holders and possibly dual citizens.”    

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.   

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.            

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CONTACT: CAIR-Houston Director William White, 713-838-2247, w-white@cair.com; CAIR National Board Member John Floyd, Esq; 713-224-0101, jfloyd@cair.com, CAIR-Houston Outreach Coordinator Wasiq Javed, wjaved@cair.com CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com