CAIR-Austin stood with the Asian American community in opposing Texas Senate Bill 17 (SB 17), a law that discriminates against immigrants by restricting who can buy property in the state.
SB 17 makes it a criminal offense — and imposes civil penalties — for certain noncitizens and foreign entities to purchase or acquire an interest in real estate in Texas. Though framed as a national security measure, this law unfairly targets people based on their citizenship or country of origin, which is exactly why CAIR continues to speak out and organize against it.
The following is a speech by Shaimaa Zayan, the Operations Manager at CAIR-Austin, in opposition of SB 17:
"Good morning, howdy, and thank you for being here today!
My name is Shaimaa Zayan, and I am the Operations Manager with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Austin chapter. I stand before you today representing myself, CAIR Austin, and the broader Muslim community in Austin.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to speak today, and I thank you all for your attendance. We are here not just as individuals or civil rights organizations, but as a united force — a community that refuses to be silenced, a community that will not stand idly by while our civil rights are threatened.
The series of bills before us that seek to strip Asian Americans of their fundamental right to own property are not just about property — they are about civil rights, equality, and justice. This is where we must draw the line.
These bills are a page taken straight from a dark chapter of American history, a history we cannot afford to repeat. In the early 20th century, “Alien Land Laws” were enacted across the country to prevent Japanese immigrants from owning land. They were labeled as “aliens ineligible for citizenship,” a dehumanizing label imposed solely based on ethnicity and immigration status. These laws were rooted in fear, hatred, and a desire to prevent people like us from thriving. But despite this, we are still here, and we will not forget the struggles of the Japanese community during this period.
On January 27th, 2017, we woke up to the news of the presidential executive order banning travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries, known as the Muslim Ban. This unconstitutional policy violated not only the First Amendment’s prohibition against the establishment of religion, but also the Fifth Amendment’s guarantees of equal treatment under the law. It was a direct violation of American values, and it caused immense harm to countless individuals and families.
Now, we face a resurgence of such discriminatory laws in Texas, cloaked in the guise of national security concerns, yet they seek to undo our community’s hard-earned progress. But let me be clear — we will not be intimidated. We will not allow history to repeat itself.
We draw a firm line in the sand today. We will not permit anyone to treat any group as second-class citizens. We will not allow anyone to divide us by race, religion, or nationality.
The fight for equality is a shared struggle. The Muslim community stands in solidarity with Asian Americans, Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and all communities who have fought — and continue to fight — for justice. As the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." This is not just an Asian American issue — this is a human rights issue. When one of us is attacked, we are all attacked.
As I thank you once again for attending this rally, I want to emphasize that rallies and protests are just one form of advocacy. I encourage each of you to take further action — testify at hearings, call your representatives, and mobilize your communities. This is not a one-day fight. This is an ongoing fight for a future where everyone’s rights are protected, regardless of their race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or appearance.
Thank you so much"
For more information about the SB 17, which unfortunately became a law, click here.