The state of Florida has recently passed legislation that prohibits Chinese citizens holding H-1B visas from owning assets in the state, leading to potential jail time for individuals like Jin Bian, a Chinese software engineer who has been living in the US for 12 years. Bian, 31, decided to purchase a property in Tampa, Florida, to reduce his one-hour commute to work. However, he was shocked to learn that, as a Chinese citizen on an H-1B visa, he could face imprisonment for buying real estate due to his immigration status. The law, enacted nearly a year ago, prohibits Chinese nationals without US green cards from buying property in Florida.
This law has created uncertainty and uneasiness among Chinese residents in the state, with some considering leaving Florida altogether. Susan Li, a green card holder, expressed feeling discriminated against when she learned about the legislation. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the law, known as Florida Senate Bill 264, last year, restricting Chinese citizens without green cards from purchasing real estate in the state. The law also extends restrictions to citizens from several other countries, including Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria, within 10 miles of military installations or critical infrastructure facilities.
Bian and others affected by the law are now contemplating their future in Florida, with some considering moving to states without similar restrictions. Despite legal challenges to the legislation, and hopes for a reversal, individuals like Bian are reevaluating their ties to the state. The broader geopolitical tensions between the US and China have heightened concerns about Chinese ownership of property in the US, with accusations of spying and national security threats being prevalent in the public discourse. While the law remains contentious and subject to legal scrutiny, its impact on the lives and decisions of Chinese visa holders in Florida is significant.
