Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently signed into law SB420, a measure that limits the ability of certain foreign nationals, particularly those associated with China, to purchase agricultural land and commercial property near military installations in Georgia. This legislation mirrors initiatives in several other states aimed at safeguarding national security.
During a public signing in Valdosta, Governor Kemp justified the legislation on national security grounds, asserting that it was crucial to prevent foreign entities from influencing vital sectors like agriculture. He argued, “We cannot allow foreign adversaries to control something as critical to our survival as our food supply.”
However, the law has faced criticism from some Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups, who argue that it fosters xenophobia and unfairly targets immigrant communities. Cynthia Choi, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, has specifically accused Governor Kemp of promoting anti-Asian and anti-immigrant sentiments through his support of the bill. Choi contends that the legislation undermines the civil rights and due process protections guaranteed to all Georgia residents.
The law’s restrictions extend beyond Chinese agents to include individuals from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Russia who are neither U.S. citizens nor legal residents. It prohibits these groups from owning farmland or commercial property within 10 miles of a military base unless they have lived in Georgia for at least ten months within the past year. While the law also affects other countries, the primary focus among Georgia lawmakers has been the perceived threat from China. The legislation does not restrict the purchase of residential properties by these foreign nationals.
Critics also anticipate legal challenges to the new law. Thong Phan, from the Atlanta chapter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, expressed concerns that the legislation might conflict with federal laws and infringe upon constitutional rights.
This move by Georgia follows similar actions taken by other states like Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas, which have also enacted laws restricting land purchases by foreign nationals near key facilities. This wave of legislation has been partly motivated by growing concerns over foreign influence near sensitive sites, highlighted by incidents such as the suspected Chinese spy balloon incident over the U.S. and controversial land purchases near military bases in North Dakota and Texas by entities believed to be connected to the Chinese government.
