Historic Legal Battle: AREAA and Allies Stand Against Florida's New Property Law

Recently, the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) made headlines with an unprecedented move. For the first time in our 21-year history, AREAA has united with several other organizations to file a lawsuit against the state of Florida. This decisive action was taken in response to a newly enacted property law that raises significant concerns about fair housing practices.

May 13, 2024

We have an important update regarding a historic legal battle that directly impacts the real estate community. Recently, the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) made headlines with an unprecedented move. For the first time in our 21-year history, AREAA has united with several other organizations to file a lawsuit against the state of Florida. This decisive action was taken in response to a newly enacted property law that raises significant concerns about fair housing practices.

Florida’s recent legislation restricts property ownership by certain foreign nationals, including those of Chinese descent. Although the Chinese own less than one percent of the land in Florida, this law has raised alarms about its broader implications. While AREAA strongly supports national security, we cannot overlook the fact that this law poses serious violations of fair housing laws, affecting our community and setting a dangerous precedent.

Our very own DMAR Treasurer, Lisa Nguyen, has been at the forefront of advocacy, diligently spreading the word about these developments both locally and in Washington, D.C. Lisa has been a vocal advocate for our community, highlighting the dangers of allowing such discriminatory laws to take hold.

As Lisa Nguyen aptly stated, "If we are not careful, history will repeat itself as it did in the 1800s in Colorado when the Chinese were excluded from being able to buy property, the burning down of Chinatown in downtown Denver and the Amache Japanese internment camp. These are painful historic events that the AANHPI community has endured here in Colorado that aren't often taught in schools."

Lisa’s dedication to raising awareness is crucial as we navigate these challenging times. Her advocacy reminds us of the importance of standing united against discrimination and ensuring fair treatment for all.

We will continue to keep you informed on the progress of this lawsuit and other related developments.

AREAA Press Release (Released May 6, 2024)