Members of Florida’s Chinese community met virtually with local and national attorneys, activists, and legislators Tuesday evening to call for the repeal or reform of SB-264, a law that limits real estate owners of some foreign nationals.
The Interests of Foreign Countries law was enacted July 1, restricting foreign purchase or ownership of Florida real estate property for citizens of the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Cuba, and Venezuela. The bill was supported by state Republicans and passed by the GOP-controlled legislature.
According to the law, entities from the seven so-called “countries of concern,” including those with non-tourist visas, are limited to buying a single home, on no more than 2 acres, and located no less than 10 miles away from any military installation or critical infrastructure. Those who already owned property before the law was enacted must register by Dec. 31.
While the law applies to all seven countries, it restricts but does not ban six of them. It specifically targets Chinese nationals with separate, harsher restrictions and penalties.
“An important issue is that the Chinese Floridians who live and work here legally should not be restricted as in the bill,” said Echo King, an immigration lawyer in Orlando and one of the founders of the Florida Asian American Justice Alliance, who hosted the meeting.
Anyone caught knowingly selling to a Chinese buyer in violation of the new law could face up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine, while Chinese buyers who break the law could face felony charges of up to five years in prison and $5,000 fines. For the other countries, violators could face up to 60 days incarcerated and $500 fines.
And Chinese nationals lacking U.S. citizenship or permanent residency — a green card — or are…
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