The issue of rural land ownership in the United States is becoming increasingly complex, shaped by a combination of foreign investment restrictions, economic pressures on small farmers, and growing wealth disparities. Recent legislative efforts have sought to curb foreign ownership of U.S. land, but loopholes such as citizenship-by-investment programs and corporate acquisitions continue to allow external influence. At the same time, economic hardship and rural income disparities are forcing small farmers to sell their land, often to large agribusinesses, investors, and foreign-controlled entities operating through domestic fronts. This report explores the intersection of these issues and their broader implications for economic stability, food security, and national policy.

Foreign Land Ownership Restrictions and Their Limitations

Between January 2023 and July 2024, at least 22 U.S. states enacted laws restricting foreign ownership of land, particularly targeting buyers from adversarial nations such as China. These states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, tend to lean Republican, suggesting that national security and economic protectionism are key motivations behind these policies. However, the effectiveness of these restrictions is questionable due to several loopholes: