Texas AAPI Communities Mobilize Against Discriminatory Alien Land Bills

AUSTIN, Texas, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Asian Pacific American communities, alongside other ethnic groups, are mobilizing against Texas Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) and House Bill 17 (HB 17)—legislations that seeks to ban or restrict real estate ownership by certain foreign nationals under the guise of national security. In response, three protest rallies will be held in Houston, Dallas, and Austin on March 29 and 30 to oppose these discriminatory measures.

A letter co-signed by Texas and national AAPI organizations reminds state legislators that the 59th Texas Legislature abolished the previous version of alien land laws in 1965 in a bipartisan effort. The letter states:

"These bills are unconstitutional and discriminatory, as they target individuals based on their nation of origin. In other words, individuals are being denied their rights not for anything they have done, but simply because of where they come from." The letter urges lawmakers not to repeat past mistakes that echo historical injustices.

Representative Gene Wu, chair of Texas House Democratic Caucus, points out that "The Texas Senate listened to our community's repeated pleas for fairness and respect, and instead they gave us more discrimination by passing SB 17 that puts us even closer to repeating the forced internment of Asian Americans 80 years ago. Our community must respond and mobilize, otherwise we will be welcoming this hate and suffer no less." 

Meanwhile, organizers of the Houston rally—Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition and United Chinese Americans (UCA)—are placing ads in the Houston Chronicle to amplify this call to action. UCA Action is also running print and digital ads in the Austin American-Statesman, San Antonio Express-News and Dallas Morning News to highlight the protest letter and mobilize public support.

Protest Rally Details

Austin

• Date & Time: March 29, 2025, at 11:00 AM CST
• Venue: Texas Capitol Grounds, East Steps, Austin, TX
• Media Contact: Hugh Li | +1 (302) 420-5986 | [email protected]

Dallas

• Date & Time: March 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST
• Venue: zTao Marketplace, Plano, TX
• Media Contact: Janet Liu | +1 (469) 855-1015 | [email protected]

Houston

• Date & Time: March 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST
• Venue: 9015 Bellaire Blvd @ Ranchester, Houston, TX
• Media Contacts:
• Gary Nakamura | 713-705-0999 [email protected]
• June Xu | +1 (832) 512-6112 | [email protected]

For further updates, please contact the listed media representatives.

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SOURCE United Chinese Americans (UCA)