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11th Circuit Allows Florida to Enforce Limits on Property Purchases by Chinese Domiciliaries

Judges concluded the challengers fall outside the statute, enabling enforcement.

Overview

  • A divided 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a prior block and cleared Florida to enforce its 2023 real-estate restrictions in a 2–1 ruling.
  • The majority found four ACLU-backed plaintiffs lacked standing because the law targets people domiciled in China while the plaintiffs have long resided in Florida.
  • Judges also rejected claims that the law’s registration and buyer-affidavit requirements conflict with federal law or violate the Fair Housing Act.
  • Judge Charles Wilson dissented, arguing that regulating foreign investment is a federal function and that Florida’s measure is preempted.
  • The law bars most people domiciled in China from buying property in Florida, with narrow exceptions, and the ACLU said it will continue to challenge the statute as discriminatory.