Cole Hefner, said the legislation would make Texas and the nation safer because "adversarial nations," as identified by the U.S. national intelligence director — China, Russia, Iran and North Korea — could not become Texas landowners.

Texas was the first state to offer in-state tuition to undocumented students in 2001, and 23 states currently have similar policies.

Chinese and other foreign citizens could soon be barred from purchasing homes in Texas under a bill passed by the Texas House on Thursday. The measure, which passed the Republican-led chamber in a largely party-line vote,