Legislation that would ban some citizens of China from owning farmland in Georgia is advancing at the state Capitol despite criticism that it promotes xenophobia and could face legal hurdles.
Supporters say the ban is needed to protect the country’s food supply from a nation hostile to U.S. interests. Numerous states have enacted similar measures, which gained traction after a suspected Chinese spy balloon flew over the U.S. last year.
A Georgia House of Representatives committee passed a bill Tuesday restricting the sale of agricultural land and land near military installations to an “agent” of China or several other countries. The state Senate passed a similar measure last month.
The Senate bill, SB 420, would ban foreign nationals from China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Russia who are not legal U.S. residents from owning farmland in Georgia or any land in the state within 25 miles (40 kilometers) of a military installation unless they have spent at least 10 months of the previous year living in Georgia.
The ban extends to businesses in those countries as well but does not apply to residential property.
State Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes, a Democrat from Duluth, slammed the bill during debate on the Senate floor on Feb. 29, comparing it to historical attempts by lawmakers in the U.S. to limit immigration from China and land ownership by Asian Americans.
“This bill provides no real national security benefit, but does threaten the safety and security of Asian Americans, immigrants from Asia and other immigrants,” she said. “Questioning people’s loyalty, trustworthiness and dangerousness based on their country of origin is offensive and xenophobic.”
Sen. Bill Cowsert, a Republican from Athens, said the bill targets countries designated as enemies by U.S. officials and excludes residential properties to avoid possibly violating federal law.
“This does not discriminate against people based on their national…
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