Georgia has ignited controversy with a new piece of legislation, S.B. 420, that prohibits individuals acting as agents for countries labeled as "foreign adversaries" from purchasing agricultural land or property near military installations. The law aligns Georgia with a host of states concerned about the influence of foreign ownership on U.S. soil. Championed by Republican legislators, they argue it's a guard against threats to national security.
The law has sparked alarm among critics who fear the specter of xenophobia, reminiscent of historically discriminatory practices against Asians in America. Georgia's legislation, however, contends with these accusations through legal protections, ensuring compliance with federal statutes such as the Fair Housing Act. In a debate at the Georgia Capitol, proponents of the bill did not shy from highlighting that Chinese nationals were a primary concern. "These are all Communist nations that have declared they are enemies of America," Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Cowsert stated, according to WABE.
Despite Canada holding the title to most U.S. land owned by a foreign entity, China's activities have gained more scrutiny, particularly following the 2013 purchase of Smithfield Foods and the 2021 acquisition of land near a North Dakota air force base by Chinese companies. Adding fuel to the fire, the recent apprehension of Chinese individuals in Georgia for a significant marijuana grow operation has done little to temper concerns.
Yet, the underpinning anxiety traces back to older laws from the 1920s, targeting noncitizens to alleviate fears of agricultural competition. Thong Phan, from Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta, noted the historical echo, saying laws like these remind of old Alien Land Laws found unconstitutional. Engagement with this past demands a more nuanced understanding of current tensions and the legal and ethical framework binding them, Phan suggested according to WABE.
The real estate community has weighed in, perceiving danger in the legislation's potential to exclude not just foreign nationals but possibly other groups in the future. "We have been on the wrong side of the law against a lot of Asian Americans," Tim Hur, a real estate agent in Atlanta and former national president of the Asian Real Estate Association of America, conveyed to WABE. Hur added, "It’s very special to Georgia, because obviously, we’ve had the hate crimes as well as the shootings." In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened concerns over xenophobia against Asians have brought such legislative decisions into sharp relief.
