Committee of 100

The Impact of Land Ownership Exclusion Laws on Diverse Communities

16th January 2025

In December, Committee of 100 and APA Justice co-hosted a critically important webinar and discussion on the impact of land ownership exclusion laws on diverse communities.

This is a growing issue of concern for minority communities across the U.S. As of December 13, there were 252 bills restricting property ownership by foreign entities having  been considered by 40 states (215 bills) and the U.S. Congress (37 bills). (Be sure to check out Committee of 100’s extensive research on this topic.)

The 1-hour discussion included an array of expert speakers: Edgar Chen, Special Policy Advisor at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA); Ashley Gorski, Senior Staff Attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); Congressman Ted Lieu, Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus; Cindy Tsai, Interim President of Committee of 100; Gene Wu, Chair, Texas House Democratic Caucus; Member, Texas House of Representatives; and Jeremy Wu, Founder and Co-Organizer of APA Justice and member of the Committee of 100. 

Over the course of the hour, the speakers discussed the resurgence of these “alien land laws,” the historical discriminatory policies that are reemerging in state legislatures across the United States, national security concerns, and civil rights and liberties under the guise of protection. 

A panel discussion was hosted and moderated by Cindy Tsai, and Jeremy Wu gave tremendous closing remarks. You can watch a replay of the full discussion here.

From that discussion, some key questions emerged from the hundreds of attendees, which we have summarized below. The answers to these key questions were developed by Committee of 100 and APA Justice.

Committee of 100 and APA Justice are committed to keeping this important discussion going and will be hosting another discussion in the coming months. To stay updated on the latest news and events, be sure you are subscribed to the Committee of 100 news and events email

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Q: Where did the term “alien land laws” come from? 

A: The term “alien land laws” started in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries with the Western states in the U.S. attempting to limit the presence and permanence of Chinese and Japanese immigrants by forbidding “aliens ineligible for citizenship” from purchasing, and later from leasing property in the states in which these laws were passed. For example, In Oregon’s 1859 constitution, it stated that no “Chinaman” could own property in the state, and it protected specifically the rights of “white foreigners” the same property owning rights as enjoyed by native citizens.

On April 29, 1878, the Ninth Circuit Court in California denied Ah Yup the right to naturalize. The court did this by citing the 1802 naturalization laws and all revised statutes that had been passed since. At the time of Ah Yup’s petition, the laws granted all “free white persons” as well as all “aliens of African nativity, and persons of African descent” the right to naturalize. This led to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which explicitly excluded Chinese immigrants from citizenship.

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Q: These alien laws bills have proliferated across the United States in the past few years.  What has caused this rapid resurgence?

A:  As U.S.-China relations have deteriorated, fears about Chinese influence and espionage have increased. Alien land laws are often framed as a way to limit foreign control of strategic assets, such as farmland, real estate near military bases, or critical infrastructure. Politicians have justified these laws by citing concerns about national security, particularly regarding potential surveillance or foreign ownership of resources critical to food and energy supplies.

Lastly, the increasing racism and xenophobia that has targeted Chinese and Asian Americans in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to increasing treatment of Asian citizens and immigrants as perpetual foreigners. 

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Q: What lessons can we learn from the past historical perspectives of alien laws? 

A: Alien laws have often reflected societal fears or biases. For example, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 in the U.S. barred Chinese immigrants under the guise of protecting jobs, but it was largely rooted in racial prejudice. Policies today must be critically examined to ensure they address genuine national interests without being discriminatory. Transparent justification and public accountability are essential to avoid perpetuating exclusionary practices. Language in policies and public discourse matters. Framing immigration and alien laws in inclusive terms can prevent xenophobia and build public trust in the system.

Many alien laws have shifted based on economic need. For instance, during labor shortages in wartime, the U.S. instituted the Bracero Program (1942-1964) to bring in Mexican workers, even while other restrictive laws were still in place. As global economies evolve, immigration laws should be flexible enough to adapt to workforce demands while protecting worker rights—both for citizens and immigrants. 

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Q: What can ordinary citizens do to help stop the rise of these alien land laws? 

A: Ordinary citizens play a crucial role in preventing the rise of restrictive alien land laws, which historically have been used to limit land ownership or rights for immigrants and non-citizens.  Some recommendations include the following:

Educate Yourself and Others: learn about the history of alien land laws which targeted Japanese and Chinese immigrants, preventing them from owning land and building generational wealth. Through this education, share this knowledge with others through conversations, social media, or community events to highlight how such laws have historically perpetuated inequality and racial discrimination.

Advocate for Fair Legislation: contact your local, state, and federal representatives to express opposition to discriminatory laws and advocate for policies that promote equal rights for all residents, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

Build Coalitions: partner with organizations like APA Justice, Committee of 100 and others that work with immigrants and non-citizens to amplify their voices and protect their rights. Work with advocacy groups, faith organizations, and civil rights coalitions to create a broad-based movement opposing discriminatory laws.

Challenge Discriminatory Narratives: alien land laws are often rooted in xenophobic or protectionist rhetoric that portrays immigrants as threats to national security or the economy. Challenge these myths by sharing facts and emphasizing the contributions of immigrants to society.

Vote and Participate in Local Politics: vote for candidates who advocate for immigrant rights and oppose discriminatory legislation. Attend city council or state legislature meetings to voice concerns about alien land laws and ensure immigrant voices are included in policymaking.

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Q: What is the current and future impact of these alien land laws on local communities and economies?

If these alien land laws restrict foreign ownership or investment, some industries may be forced to scale back, resulting in fewer jobs and less economic activity in local markets. This could be particularly challenging for rural or economically underdeveloped regions that rely on foreign investment for growth and infrastructure. Over time, this could stifle local economies, reducing opportunities for entrepreneurship and limiting access to capital for small businesses.

Some of these laws also restrict the ability of immigrants to buy homes and gain an economic foothold in the United States.

These laws also create a sense of exclusion for immigrant communities, particularly Chinese Americans and other Asian groups, who may be disproportionately targeted by the perception that they are responsible for “outsider” investment in local property markets.  The rhetoric around these laws often includes stereotypes that associate certain ethnic groups with negative economic effects, creating divisions and reinforcing prejudices and xenophobia. 

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