Arizona's BAN Act Protects State Land From Hostile Nations

Governor Katie Hobbs rejected a feeble bill on foreign land ownership, and she was right to call it spineless. Her proposed BAN Act aims higher, seeking to block hostile nations from buying Arizona's soil. This move is long overdue. Our state cannot afford to let countries like China, bent on global dominance, stake a claim here.

The prospect of a foreign adversary owning farmland that feeds our families or land near our military bases has become a growing reality. Arizona's BAN Act draws a firm line, protecting our food supply and strategic sites. Why would we ever allow nations that oppose us to control our resources?

This fight transcends politics. It centers on sovereignty and survival. Hostile governments, particularly the Chinese Communist Party, are buying land and positioning themselves to exploit our vulnerabilities. Arizona's response signals a refusal to play their game.

The BAN Act, known as SB1066, prohibits entities deemed hostile by Arizona's legislature from owning public or private land without approval. It mandates identity verification for buyers and extends restrictions on agricultural land. Consider the Chinese-linked corn mill proposed near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, which sparked fears of espionage. Arizona, with its own military installations, faces similar risks.

Foreign entities already own over 45 million acres of U.S. farmland, roughly 3.5 percent of the total, and that figure is rising with renewable energy projects. Chinese affiliates have acquired wind farms and rural plots, often near sensitive locations. In a state like Arizona, with vast open spaces and critical infrastructure, the threat is glaring. Are we willing to gamble with our security?

The U.S.-China rivalry fuels this urgency. Tariffs on Chinese goods exceed 60 percent, tech export controls are tightening, and military posturing in the South China Sea escalates. China's global ambitions, from the Belt and Road Initiative to BRICS+, reveal a calculated strategy. Allowing them to own our land hands them leverage we cannot afford to lose.

Advocates for open investment policies claim restricting foreign land ownership stifles economic growth. They argue that investment from abroad creates jobs and drives innovation, and broad bans might deter allies like Canada or European nations. They advocate for federal reviews through CFIUS, warning that state laws risk violating property rights or equal protection principles.

Their argument falls short. CFIUS reviews are narrow, addressing only specific deals, and cannot tackle the long-term threat of hostile nations accumulating land. The economic benefits of foreign investment are real; however, these benefits are outweighed when the investment comes from adversaries actively undermining us. Arizona's BAN Act targets the right threat, distinguishing between friendly nations and those like China that pose a clear danger.

Arizona joins a wave of states, over 30 since 2022, enacting or proposing limits on foreign land ownership. Texas, Arkansas, and Wyoming have passed laws targeting purchases near military bases or critical infrastructure. This movement reflects frustration with a sluggish federal response. States are acting to protect their people where Washington has lagged.

History offers perspective. In the late 1800s, Alien Land Laws in western states barred non-citizen Asians from owning property. Those laws were rooted in prejudice. Today's measures, however, focus on national security, targeting hostile governments rather than individuals. The principle endures: our land secures our future, and defending it is essential.

Arizona's BAN Act requires robust enforcement, clear definitions of hostile entities, and no loopholes to pass. Yet this is only the first step. The federal government is urged to strengthen CFIUS and advance bipartisan efforts like the PASS Act to protect our food and resources nationwide. States cannot bear this burden alone.

Our land sustains our families and defends our nation. Allowing adversaries to control it risks everything we hold dear. Arizona's bold action sets a precedent, urging other states and the nation to follow. Decisive action is necessary to keep our soil out of hostile hands.

What will our future look like if we fail? Arizona refuses to find out. This fight is about protecting our independence and ensuring our children inherit a secure nation. The time to act is now.