Bill would ban some foreign students

State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, a conservative Republican from Arlington, has introduced a bill that would ban people in the country without legal permission as well as citizens of China and three other countries from being admitted to public colleges and universities in Texas.

The legislation, which has little chance of advancing this session, also would impact citizens of Iran, North Korea and Russia.

Tinderholt did not respond immediately to a request for comment on his bill, which posted on Friday, the last day for legislation to be filed for the current session.

It echoes a proposal that has garnered heavy backlash in the state Senate, where GOP lawmakers are pushing a bill that would bar citizens of the same countries from owning land in Texas.

They say that bill is a matter of security that would curb foreign influence in major Texas industries, like agriculture.

But Democrats and other critics call the legislation racist and xenophobic, saying it would only harm law-abiding people hoping to build a life in Texas.

After initial pushback, senators amended the legislation to clarify that dual citizens and anyone with a green card still would be allowed to buy property here.

The changes, however, did little to assuage fears from Asian Americans, dozens of whom testified against the legislation in a recent Senate committee. They say it would contribute to antiAsian sentiment while punishing those who have lived and worked in Texas for years on employment visas.

Others testified that it took them years to get green cards or become citizens because of deep backlogs and long waits. The legislation, which has the support of Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republican state leaders, likely would have prevented them from buying the homes in which they raised their families, they said.