Ohio lawmakers are pushing a dangerous new bill — H.B. 1 — that would expand existing bans on land ownership by certain foreign individuals, businesses, and communities near military bases and infrastructure. This bill is rooted in xenophobic conspiracy theories that paint immigrants as national security threats.

What the Bill Does:

• Bans people from countries labeled as “foreign adversaries” from owning land within 25 miles of military bases or “critical infrastructure” like ports, refineries, railroads, and even water facilities.

• Targets not just governments, but also citizens, businesses, and even trustees or agents of anyone from those countries — even if they are U.S. residents.

• Paves the way for local sheriffs and prosecutors to investigate and seize land from targeted communities.

• Delegates federal foreign affairs to state officials, risking constitutional violations and international consequences.

• Mirrors a similar law in Florida that’s already under federal court injunction due to its discriminatory impact on Chinese immigrants.

Why It Matters:
This bill doesn’t protect Ohioans — it scapegoats immigrant communities, chills economic investment, and reinforces fear-driven, racialized narratives. It gives local officials broad powers to investigate and dispossess community members based on their country of origin — undermining civil rights, due process, and property rights.

This is part of a national trend: Anti-immigrant, anti-Asian property bans are being introduced across the country, reminiscent of racist "alien land laws" from the early 20th century.