Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act of 2025

This bill aims to keep U.S. farmland out of the control of certain foreign governments. It tells the President to block people or companies tied to China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea from buying or leasing any U.S. agricultural land, whether public or private. Breaking the rules can bring civil and criminal penalties, and the President can use national security powers to enforce them. People who already own or lease land before the law takes effect are not forced to sell it. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are not covered by these bans .

It also bars these foreign-linked owners or tenants from taking part in USDA programs, with narrow exceptions for things like food safety, worker health and safety, and required reporting. The bill strengthens reporting on foreign ownership by adding leases and security interests, requires more timely and public data, raises penalties (including possible liens on the land), and orders regular reports to Congress from USDA, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Government Accountability Office .

• Who is affected: People and companies tied to the governments of China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea; not U.S. citizens or green-card holders.
• What changes: They cannot buy or lease U.S. farmland; they cannot join USDA programs if they own or lease farmland (with safety and reporting exceptions). Reporting is expanded to include leases and security interests; public data is updated quickly; fines increase and liens can be placed on land for violations .
• When: The President must carry out the bans after enactment. Reports are due within one year of enactment and then every two years thereafter; GAO also reports within one year.