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.

The bill was amended to exempt visa-holders, but to give Gov. Greg Abbott power to bar other foreign citizens from purchasing property in Texas.

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