Trump administration to bar green card holders from receiving SBA loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a notice on February 12, 2026, establishing a rule that bars legal permanent U.S. residents (green card holders) from owning any percentage interest in applicants for SBA-backed loans. This policy change, which takes effect on March 1, limits eligibility for such financial assistance to businesses that are wholly owned by U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals. The announcement marks a significant shift in federal lending criteria within the United States US, effectively ending a previous era of broader access for immigrant entrepreneurs.