Small Business Administration to Relocate Regional Offices from Sanctuary Cities

The SBA will move six offices from cities with immigrant-friendly policies and implement stricter loan eligibility requirements tied to citizenship.

The Small Business Administration announced plans to relocate regional offices from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, and Seattle to undisclosed locations that comply with federal immigration law.
The agency cited the cities' sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, as a key factor in the decision.
A new policy will require SBA loan applicants to verify U.S. citizenship or legal residency to ensure taxpayer funds only benefit eligible business owners.
Critics, including former SBA officials and business advocates, warned that the relocations could harm small business owners who rely on local SBA resources.
The move aligns with the Trump administration's broader crackdown on sanctuary cities and efforts to restrict public benefits for undocumented immigrants.