#StopSB147: Our Communities Deserve Freedom and Dignity
Immigrant and refugee communities are under attack in Texas with the introduction of a new law, Texas SB 147. Armenian-American Action Network condemns this law and is organizing our communities to stop it.
Background
A bill in Texas, SB 147, is being considered that would directly harm immigrant and refugees communities including Armenians in the U.S. This bill would ban citizens of Iran, China, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing property in Texas. Nationals of these countries include large swaths of people including people of Armenian, Persian, Assyrian, Afghan, Kurdish and other ethnic descent. Its passage would affect dual citizens, businesses owned by dual citizens, immigrant and refugee communities and set a concerning national precedent, as similar legislation is being considered in other states across the country.
This is an exclusionary, nativist and unconstiutional move that will impact large swaths of communities. Alarmingly, Texas Governor Abbott has declared his support for the bill.
Amidst the uprising in Iran, this bill would do nothing to hurt the government of Iran. Federal law already bars members of Iran's government from property ownership. Instead, this bill will punish immigrant communities, including green card holders and visa holders, whose only crime is who they are and where they are born.
This bill is both racist and unconstitutional and must not be signed into law. Our communities should not be discriminated against because of national origin. Our communities cannot be denied the ability to purchase property and live freely based on our heritage. This is a direct violation of protected constitutional rights, and a flagrant disregard for people’s humanity.
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National Iranian American Council and Armenian-American Action Network have co-organized a letter to Governor Abbott and Texas lawmakers demanding that SB 147 be stopped, and that our communities’ freedom and dignity be protected. We are proud to join 26 leading civil rights organizations to call out Texas lawmakers for their support of SB 147, an absurd, unconstitutional and racist bill.
Signatories include: Armenian American Action Network (AAAN), National Iranian American Council (NIAC), ACCESS of WNY, Afghans For A Better Tomorrow, Arab American Civic Council, Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC), Armenians for Housing Justice, Asian American Leadership Council, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for Justice in San Antonio, TX, Asian Texans for Justice, Brooklyn Raga Massive, CAIR-Houston, Elmahaba Center, Japanese American Citizens League, MPower Change Action Fund, Muslims for Just Futures, National Immigration Law Center, PANA (Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans), Rise AAPI, Palestinian Youth Movement, Tsuru for Solidarity
