The Small Business Administration's recent decision to bar noncitizen permanent residents of the U.S. from receiving federally backed small‑business loans is not just misguided policy. It is a self‑inflicted economic wound — one that will restrict credit, suppress job creation and undermine the very market stability the SBA is supposed to support.
Small Business News
02/12/2026 |
Baptist News Global
The policy change will damage business for years to come, said John Arensmeyer, CEO of Small Business Majority, a network of more than 85,000 businesses nationwide. “The timing of SBA’s tighter lending eligibility criteria could not be worse as small businesses are struggling with ballooning costs due to tariffs, health care and inflation, as well as the fact that small businesses have struggled for many years to access critical capital,” he explained.
02/11/2026 |
Open Legal Blog Archive
Small Business Majority, Main Street Alliance and American Sustainable Business Council, representing tens of thousands of small businesses, opposed the attempt by Texas to vacate this harassment guidance. Those three groups submitted an amicus opposing the lawsuit against the harassment guidance. Their brief emphasized the need for clear guidance for businesses.
02/10/2026 |
Cal Matters
Small businesses are the heart of our economy, accounting for more than half of new jobs nationwide and employing 7 million Californians. But they can’t thrive if healthcare costs keep rising. Addressing hospital pricing abuse is essential for keeping California’s small businesses strong and ensuring every worker can access quality, affordable care.
02/10/2026 |
Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar
The growing list of endorsing organizations includes Small Business Majority.
02/09/2026 |
NPR
John Arensmeyer, who heads the advocacy group Small Business Majority, says the comparable annual cost averages 94%, and he has seen terms as high as 350%...About half of U.S. small businesses at some point need to borrow money, says Arensmeyer of Small Business Majority, but nearly two-thirds of them get turned down by traditional lenders. The odds are even lower for historically underbanked communities, including immigrant entrepreneurs. By contrast, nine out of 10 businesses will get approved for a merchant cash advance, Arensmeyer says.
02/06/2026 |
Telemundo Houston
“This is impacting people who have done what they needed to do and are trying hard to go through the legal immigration system to contribute to the U.S. economy,” said Alexis D’Amato Falvey.
02/04/2026 |
Newsweek
Small Business Majority CEO John Arensmeyer told the AP: “The latest decision by SBA fails to recognize that immigrants are twice as likely to start a business as native-born U.S. citizens. Given that reality, SBA’s severe restrictions will have a negative impact on small business creation throughout this country for years to come.”
02/03/2026 |
Politico
Small Business Majority founder and CEO John Arensmeyer said the decision “will limit the growth of small businesses and jobs throughout the United States” and that “the timing of SBA’s tighter lending eligibility criteria could not be worse as small businesses are struggling with ballooning costs due to tariffs, health care and inflation, as well as the fact that small businesses have struggled for many years to access critical capital.” Arensmeyer called for the SBA to immediately reconsider its latest policy guidelines on loans and “prioritize broadening eligibility rather than narrowing
02/03/2026 |
Associated Press
Small business advocacy group the Small Business Majority said the move is “a decision that will limit the growth of small businesses and jobs throughout the United States.” “The latest decision by SBA fails to recognize that immigrants are twice as likely to start a business as native-born U.S. citizens,” said Small Business Majority CEO John Arensmeyer. “Given that reality, SBA’s severe restrictions will have a negative impact on small business creation throughout this country for years to come.”