In a major victory for national security and common sense, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Florida’s landmark 2023 “alien land law,” which bans citizens and entities tied to America’s foreign adversaries — including Communist China — from buying land in the Sunshine State. The ruling is a huge win for Americans who believe their nation’s soil should never fall into the hands of regimes that seek to undermine it.
The law, officially known as Senate Bill 264, was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and took effect in July 2023. It prohibits individuals or businesses from nations such as China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria from owning or controlling agricultural land or property near military bases and critical infrastructure in Florida. For Chinese nationals, the restrictions are even stricter, barring nearly all forms of real estate ownership in the state.
The legislation was designed to stop the growing influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and other hostile regimes from buying up U.S. farmland and property near sensitive installations — a problem that has alarmed lawmakers nationwide. Across America, Chinese-owned entities have quietly purchased vast tracts of agricultural land and property near U.S. military facilities, raising serious concerns about espionage and national security risks.
As expected, the law immediately came under attack from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which represented four Chinese citizens claiming the bill was discriminatory. But this week, the 11th Circuit Court rejected the ACLU’s challenge, affirming Florida’s right to protect its land and its people from foreign exploitation.
Celebrating the decision, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier called the ruling a “big win” for the state and for America’s security. “Today we won big at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, defending our law preventing ownership of Florida land by the Chinese Communist Party,” he wrote on X. “Thanks to Senior Deputy Solicitor General Forrester and Assistant Solicitor General Schenck for securing a huge win for Florida!”
The ruling could have major national implications, setting a precedent for other red states to follow Florida’s lead. Texas, Alabama, and Arkansas have already advanced similar laws — all designed to prevent hostile foreign governments from gaining a foothold inside America.
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), a longtime critic of the CCP, praised the outcome and reiterated his call for tougher federal restrictions on Chinese influence. “The United States is facing threats from adversaries around the world who want to destroy our way of life,” Scott said. “Xi and the Communist Chinese Party have blatantly spied on the United States, stolen our research and intellectual data, and attempted to infiltrate our government.”
Scott also torched the Biden Administration for turning a blind eye to these threats, noting how Chinese and Cuban officials have been given special treatment while continuing to act against U.S. interests. “For years, these regimes have been allowed to exploit America while denying Americans the same privilege in their nations,” he said. “We cannot continue putting America’s national security at risk by allowing regimes unlimited access to spy on U.S. soil.”
Thanks to Florida’s leadership — and now, the federal court’s backing — Americans can rest a little easier knowing that at least one state is putting its citizens’ safety, sovereignty, and farmland ahead of the interests of Communist China and its global allies.
