March 11, 2026–Carolina Martinez, CEO of CAMEO Network – a national association of small business support organizations – released the following statement condemning the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) new policy barring green card holders from accessing SBA-guaranteed small business loans. This expands the SBA’s decision to bar green card holders from taking out SBA 504 and 7(a) loans, which went into effect on March 1.
“The SBA’s decision will cut off another essential source of capital for entrepreneurs who are lawful permanent residents. America is better off because people come here from around the world to build lives and businesses – strengthening our economy, creating new jobs, and driving innovation.
Immigrants start new businesses at twice the rate of the U.S.-born population, playing a vital role in America’s economic competitiveness. Small businesses employ nearly half the private sector and create nearly two-thirds of new jobs. Holding back small businesses hurts the entire economy.
CAMEO Network will continue to work with lawmakers to restore access to SBA loans and SBA-backed loans for lawful permanent residents.”