Federal appeals court narrowly blocks controversial Florida law barring Chinese land ownership

The controversial Florida law that prohibited Chinese individuals from owning land has been narrowly blocked by a federal appeals court. The court’s decision to grant an injunction for two of the plaintiffs in the case prevents them from being forced to cancel contracts they signed to buy homes. While the law was not entirely blocked, the court found that the plaintiffs faced the most imminent risk of irreparable harm in the absence of a stay. Governor Ron DeSantis, who championed the law, has not responded to the court’s decision.

The ACLU has praised the 11th Circuit’s decision, stating that the discriminatory housing law in Florida is unconstitutional. The law specifically targeted individuals from China who are not lawful U.S. residents, preventing them from buying or owning more than a single parcel of two acres within five miles of a military installation. The law also further restricts agricultural land ownership for people from China and six other countries considered hostile.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a “statement of interest” contending that the new law violated federal law and the U.S. Constitution, citing that it would cause serious harm to individuals based on their national origin and contravene federal civil rights laws. The recent ruling serves as a warning to other states considering passing similar bills, urging progress and the protection of all communities.