COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A bill at the Ohio Statehouse has some worried about their livelihoods in Ohio. Supporters say it’s a matter of national security but critics say it’s “discrimination dressed up as security.”
The bill would ban anyone who is not a United States citizen, and from a country that is a foreign adversary, from buying land within 25 miles of “protected property.”
Xin Yuan has been in the States for 14 years and got her green card after 10 years of living here. She said she has lived in four states, but only Ohio has felt like home. Now, she said, House Bill 1 puts it all at risk.
“Under this bill, I could lose my home,” Yuan said. “While I’m here legally, I would be labeled as a foreign adversary. This is deeply dehumanizing.”
Under Ohio law, the list of land that would fall under “protected property” is long. It includes any railroad property, a dam operated by the state or federal government, and trucking terminals.
The bill also includes airports, military bases, and farmland.
“There might be some countries that you might be a little worried having nationals from that country owning property in the United States, particularly real estate in the state of Ohio,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “So, we’ll see.”
The list of foreign adversaries to the United States is not set in stone. Right now, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria are on the list. Under this proposal, Ohio’s secretary of state would have to update the list every six months.
“That means people like my family who pay taxes and follow the law could be denied property rights overnight because of their background,” said Jay Qutiefan, who opposes the bill.
But supporters of the bill said it comes down to one simple thing: national security. And the bill is popular among lawmakers. It currently has more than half of Ohio House members, Democrats and Republicans, signed onto it. And DeWine is supportive of the idea.
“I think a bill that would be strategically crafted might be good,” DeWine said. “But it has to be written, I think, very carefully.”
“Let’s be honest, this is discrimination dressed up as security,” Qutiefan said. “Immigrants are not a threat to Ohio.”
The bill has had three hearings so far, but no votes yet.
