A federal appeals court appeared somewhat conflicted last week as judges heard oral arguments over the legality of a Florida law that bars Chinese citizens from buying homes in many parts of the state.

A three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals listened to presentations on April 19 by ACLU attorney Ashley Gorski on behalf of the plaintiffs and Senior Deputy Solicitor General Nathan Forrester on behalf of the defendants, including the Florida commissioner of agriculture.

The communications director for state Attorney General Ashley Moody, Kylie Mason, expressed confidence that the 2023 law would be upheld.