The state law also bans land ownership near military installations for citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The Eleventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals blocked Florida from enforcing a state law that would ban the ownership of homes or land in the state by Chinese nationals. Two Chinese individuals were in the process of acquiring property when the Florida law was passed.
A federal judge declined to block the law in August, prompting an appeal by the plaintiffs. The Eleventh Circuit blocked enforcement during the pendency of the case.
Judge Nancy Abudu wrote, “This prohibition blatantly violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s protection against discrimination.” She said statements by Florida officials that were anti-Chinese “establish that the law is a blanket ban against Chinese non-citizens from purchasing land within the state.”
The deputy press secretary in Governor Ron DeSantis’ office said, “Our law is still very much in effect; we are confident in our legal position on the merits, and we will continue to fight back against foreign malign influence in Florida.”
The Florida law also bans citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, and North Korea from land ownership near military installations or important infrastructure.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for the judges of the Eleventh Circuit as they hear and consider the Florida law.
- For state governors and members of state legislatures as they seek to prevent espionage or other threats to national security.
Sources: Reuters, Newsmax, Politico
