Texas Targets Foreign Influence from China, Russia, Cuba, and Venezuela with New Executive Orders

Texas Governor Greg Abbott filed two executive orders in less than 24 hours aimed at targeting foreign espionage from the People's Republic of China (PRC) and other "foreign adversaries," including Cuba and Nicolas Maduro.

According to Abbott, the aforementioned entities have engaged in a "long-term pattern–of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States," with China posing the "greatest long-term threat."

Sanctions Targeting 'Foreign Adversaries'

Executive Order GA-48, issued on Tuesday morning, focuses on strengthening state government protections by imposing strict sanctions aimed to prevent "foreign adversary infiltration" from PRC, Cuba, North Korea, Russia, Iran, and "Venezuelan politician Nicolas Maduro."

"Foreign adversaries seek to sabotage and corrupt key information software and systems and to steal intellectual property, information on critical infrastructure, and personal information at every level of government."

- Executive Order GA-48

GA-48 requires contractors wanting to work with state agencies or public institutions to prove they are not tied to adversarial nations. The order also bans state personnel from accepting gifts or benefits from these countries, and implements thorough screening for employees traveling to "adversary" nations.

Abbott's order also mandates state job applicants to certify no ties to the aforementioned countries, and requires public colleges to report foreign funding. Additionally, GA-48 prohibits participation in China's Thousand Talents Program, which aims to recruit the highest-level foreign-educated Chinese STEM researchers back to China.

Dismantling of U.S.-Based 'Chinese Stations'

Abbott issued a separate executive order on Monday targeting China's "Operation Fox Hunt," a Chinese Government initiative, which, according to the Texas Tribune, is intended to root out corruption in that country, but in practice, has resulted in the intimidation and forced repatriation of pro-democracy Chinese activists living abroad, including in Texas.

"These dissidents are often "guilty" of nothing more than opposing the PRC government–by exposing corruption–the PRC forces targeted dissidents to return in several ways, including threatening dissidents' families still residing in China, using PRC assets to target dissidents abroad in their host countries, and kidnapping and smuggling dissidents back into the PRC."

- Executive Order GA-47

Executive Order GA-47 also highlights the existence of over 102 illicit "police service stations" used by the PRC worldwide to intimidate dissidents and conduct espionage within the United States. One of these stations is believed to be in Houston.

The order directs the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to investigate cases of transnational repression targeting Texas residents and to pursue criminal charges against those responsible for such activities. By January 15, 2025, DPS must provide strategies to counter these threats and develop training programs for government and non-government organizations.

According to the Texas Tribune, the FBI's Houston office confirmed that the Chinese government has targeted Chinese citizens residing in the United States, including naturalized and U.S.-born citizens with family ties in China. The agency is looking for potential victims in the Houston area andset up a hotline for victims: (713) 693-5000.