Texas Sen. Lois Kolkhorst has introduced SB 147, a bill that would prohibit citizens, companies, governments, and entities from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing land in Texas. Kolkhorst, who has long paid lip service to property rights, is now proposing to violate property rights. SB 147 is an injustice.
One of the hallmarks of the American justice system is “innocent until proven guilty.” Kolkhorst wants to treat all of the citizens of the four countries as enemies of Texas. Such blanket judgments are not founded on what a particular individual has done, but rather, the nature of the government under which they once lived.
To be clear, the governments of China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia are enemies of Texas and the United States. They routinely violate the rights of their citizens and use brutality to silence dissenters. Undoubtedly, many of the citizens of those countries support their government’s policies. But as is the case in the United States, many citizens disagree with their government’s policies. When they are able to escape those dictatorships and flee to America, they are seeking a better life.
Consider Kevin Yu and his wife, Claire Liang. They have lived in the United States for fifteen years and fear that the bill will prohibit them from purchasing a home. Though a statement issued by Kolkhorst states that her bill does not apply to lawful permanent residents, the bill does not contain language to that effect.
Yu and Liang came to the United States for the same reason that Stephen Austin led individuals to Texas—to make a better life for themselves and their families. Texans soon fought a war to protect their rights, including their property rights. We honor the brave men and women who fought to secure rights that we enjoy today. We dishonor them when we pass bills like SB 147.
Rational individuals recognize the injustice of interring individuals with Japanese ancestry during World War II. Individuals were imprisoned, not because of any actions on their part, but because of their ancestry. Kolkhorst’s bill does essentially the same thing. It removes rights from individuals, not because of any actions on their part, but because of where they are from. There is no justice in such policies. SB 147 is an injustice.