After a Chinese balloon flew the length of the lower 48, lawmakers in 11 states, as well as those in Congress, have proposed laws that would ban Chinese citizens from buying land, homes, and buildings in the US. But are such laws racist?
Lawmakers want to ban Chinese land ownership in US in wake of spy balloon
Following an alleged Chinese spy balloon traversing the length of the continental United States, lawmakers have proposed laws that would ban citizens of China from purchasing land, homes, or other buildings in America.
The proposals came from lawmakers in the states of Texas, Florida, Arkansas, North Dakota, and Montana – 11 states in total – as well as in Congress, who say such legislation will help protect the United States from further interference from adversarial nations. The lawmakers accuse China of spying, theft, and putting the American food supply at risk, USA Today reported.
A bipartisan group of members of Congress has filed a federal proposal entitled the “Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act.” And they are not alone. Iowa has already put a ban in place, while other states are also considering versions of the same measure.
Only 14 US states have restrictions on foreign individuals or entities owning farmland. Such limitations vary widely throughout the US, with no state having a total prohibition. Four states don’t limit foreign ownership in any manner: North Carolina, Virginia, Texas, and Utah. Missouri puts a cap on foreign ownership, and state lawmakers are seeking to make the terms more stringent.
Critics say the bans are racist
The fears driving the bans and legislation are that US agriculture and its food supply could end up in the wrong hands.
Critics of the bans say the proposals are reminiscent of racist laws from the early 1900s, which prevented Asian Americans from becoming property owners. In addition to banning Chinese citizens, some lawmakers also want to restrict purchases by Russians, North Koreans, and Iranians.
Citizens in Grand Forks, North Dakota, hurled a barrage of criticism at City Council members, who then voted 5-0 to abandon a ban. The same occurred in a 59,000-person city near the Minnesota border, which demanded resignations from council members they claimed had tried to push through a ban as they brushed off Chinese threats to national security, CBS News reported.
Who owns the most US land?
Less than 3% of U.S. farmland is controlled by foreign entities and individuals, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Of that percentage, those who have ties to China control less than 1% – roughly 600 square miles.
Who are the largest private landowners in the US?
The United States consists of over 3.7 million square miles of land.
According to 2021 data from the land report 100, the Madison Trust Company says the following individuals are America’s largest landowners.
1. The Emmerson family (Sierra Pacific Industries) owns 2.33 million acres of Timberland in California, Oregon, and Washington, along with 14 different sawmills.
2. John Malone, of the Malone family land preservation foundation, owns 2.2 million acres of conservation land in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, New Hampshire, and Maine.
3. The Reed family (Simpson Logging Company) owns 2.1 million acres of Timberland in California, Oregon, and Washington.
4. Ted Turner owns 2 million acres of agricultural and ranch land in New Mexico, Nebraska, Montana, Kansas, and South Dakota.
5. Stan Kroenke owns about 1,627,500 acres of land in Texas and Montana, split between ranching (horses and cattle) and renewable energy. He also owns the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, the Arsenal F.C., and more than 1,000 productive oil wells.
Who owns the most US farmland?
According to a January 2023 report by Farmland Riches, in 2023, the largest private owner of the most farmland in the United States is Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, who currently owns about 242,000 acres of farmland in 18 states.
Ted Turner is second. Third goes to Stewart and Lynda Resnick, who own 192,500 acres in California and Texas. They launched brands such as Teleflora flower delivery services and The Franklin Mint Company.
