Asian American Texans to Rally Against SB17 at State Capitol

AUSTIN, TX — In a growing show of opposition to Senate Bill 17 (SB17), hundreds of Asian American Texans and allies are expected to gather at the Texas State Capitol on Saturday, May 10, to protest the controversial bill that would restrict immigrants’ rights to own property in the state.

SB17, a reintroduced version of a previously defeated measure, seeks to ban foreign nationals on legal visas—including H-1B, L-1, F-1, and J-1—from purchasing homes or owning land in Texas starting September 1, 2025. The bill passed the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee on May 2 and now awaits a vote on the House floor. If passed, Governor Greg Abbott is expected to sign it into law.

Civil rights advocates argue that the bill revives the discriminatory spirit of the Alien Land Laws of the 19th and 20th centuries, and directly violates both the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and the Fair Housing Act. Critics say it would deter foreign investment, drive out high-skilled talent, and damage Texas’s reputation as a welcoming and business-friendly state. The Asian American community would be disproportionately affected.

The rally is organized by the Texas Asian American Association (TAAA), Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition (TMAC), and Asian Community Action Network (ACAN). Participants are expected from across Texas, including Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. State Representatives Gene Wu and Vikki Goodwin, along with other civil rights leaders and community advocates, will deliver remarks.

Why This Matters
“This bill is a deeply alarming step backward,” said Jason Yuan, a community organizer. “It echoes the same xenophobic logic behind the Chinese Exclusion Act—targeting individuals solely based on national origin and immigration status. That’s unacceptable in Texas.”

Organizers are urging the Texas Legislature to reject SB17 and affirm the core American values of fairness, equality, and opportunity for all—regardless of origin.