Texas Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Halt Foreign Purchases of U.S. Homes
Texas Republican Representative Chip Roy put forth a bill on Tuesday aimed at banning foreign adversaries from buying homes in the United States, as reported by the Daily Caller.
The proposed legislation would specifically bar foreign adversaries, nationals from certain countries, and those identified as sponsors of terrorism from acquiring U.S. real estate. It also stipulates that properties must be sold within two years after the law takes effect, ensuring that all housing inventory is available exclusively to U.S. citizens.
“American homes should belong to American families, not to the Chinese Communist Party, foreign Islamists, or any geopolitical enemies,” Roy stated. He expressed concern that while many Americans are struggling to afford homes, adversarial governments are purchasing land and affecting local communities. “This bill puts an end to foreign adversaries owning American homes and compels them to sell any properties they already possess. We want to return these homes to American hands,” he added.
At the close of 2024, foreign ownership in the U.S. spanned an estimated 46 million acres with a total value exceeding $86 billion, based on a report from the United States Department of Agriculture. Under Roy’s proposal, as much as 338,000 acres owned by foreign adversaries could be on the market, with assets nearing $1.1 billion, as per documents examined.
Texas, Roy’s home state, has one of the highest levels of foreign land ownership in the country, with over 5.6 million acres reportedly held by non-Americans. If the bill is enacted, it could lead to around 124,000 acres in 20 Texas counties being offered for sale.
Concerns about foreign land ownership, especially regarding the Chinese Communist Party, have been frequently addressed by Roy and other Republican officials. In Texas, approximately 342 acres zoned for residential and commercial development are reportedly owned by investors linked to the CCP. Additionally, there is another Texas property with Chinese connections that encompasses over 123,000 acres across 15 counties, valued at around $900 million, according to USDA estimates.
