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Anti-Alien Land Laws
No Democrat Should Support House Bill 17
On April 2, hundreds of community members and organizations from across Texas traveled to Austin to testify before the House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Veterans’ Affairs in strong opposition to House Bill 17. This unconstitutional and discriminatory bill seeks to restrict property ownership based on national origin, directly threatening immigrant communities, including more than two million Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) who live and work in Texas.
We are deeply disappointed that a Democratic state representative initially co-authored HB 17 alongside Republicans. While he withdrew his name after significant public pressure, citing concerns about the bill’s vague and overreaching language, he has yet to commit to voting against it.
A few continue to defend the bill under the guise of national security, but that is a false premise. The United States already has laws that restrict land purchases by foreign adversaries. If the concern is weak federal enforcement, the solution is oversight, not state laws that open the door to racial profiling and civil rights violations. HB 17 casts an overly broad net, punishing individuals with no connection to foreign governments simply because of their country of origin or immigration status. Rather than strengthening security, HB 17 scapegoats law-abiding Texans by restricting property rights based solely on national origin.
If lawmakers truly care about national security, they should focus on addressing real threats, not targeting immigrant communities who have no ties to foreign governments. We urge all legislators, Democrat and Republican alike, to reject this unconstitutional, anti-Texan legislation.
We will continue to hold our elected officials accountable for actions that undermine the rights and dignity of the two million AANHPIs who call Texas home. We urge every representative to vote NO on HB 17 and support policies that protect, rather than harm, our neighbors.
Released on April 4, 2025
Texas Senate Passes Senate Bill 17
Asian American Democrats of Texas (AADT) condemns the passage of Senate Bill 17, which disproportionately harms Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI). While we are not surprised by this outcome, we are profoundly disappointed that four Democratic state senators chose to side with Republicans in targeting our communities. Despite repeated efforts by AANHPIs to meet with these senators to express our deep concerns with the impact of this discriminatory bill, they turned their backs on us and the two million AANHPIs who live, work, and contribute to the vibrancy of our state.
The actions of these senators are antithetical to the values of the Texas Democratic Party, which prides itself on unity, solidarity, and standing against injustice. Once again, elected leaders of the 'big tent' party put the AANHPI community on the chopping block. Their votes have sent a clear message: our communities are not their priority.
The passage of SB 17 opens the door for further discrimination against every community that Texas Republicans choose to target. This is not just an attack on AANHPIs; it is a threat to the principles of equality and justice that should protect all marginalized people.
We expect better from our leaders, and we deserve better. We expect that they will stand with every Texas community facing threats, to uphold the principles of justice and equality.
We commend the Democratic senators who stood with our vulnerable communities by voting against SB 17.
We will continue to hold our leaders accountable and fight for the safety, dignity, and respect that every community deserves. We call upon our state representatives to stand with AANHPI Texans and block this hateful legislation in the House.
Released on March 25, 2025