COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A bill under consideration at the Ohio Statehouse has many residents worried about their future in Ohio. Proponents assert that it’s crucial for national security, while opponents argue that it’s simply “discrimination masked as security.”
The proposed legislation seeks to prohibit non-citizens of the United States, who are from nations deemed foreign adversaries, from purchasing land situated within a 25-mile radius of “protected property.”
Xin Yuan, who has resided in the U.S. for 14 years and received her green card after a decade, shared that although she has lived in four different states, Ohio feels uniquely like home to her. However, she expressed concerns that House Bill 1 jeopardizes the life she has built here.
“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 operating 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.
