Articles Posted in Immigrant Visa Interviews

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New immigration rules under Donald Trump will soon bar green card holders from receiving certain SBA government loans, while also introducing heightened scrutiny and travel restrictions for both domestic and international travel.

#1 Green Card Holders Banned from Receiving SBA Loans

Under a major policy change by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), green card holders (lawful permanent residents) will no longer be eligible for SBA-backed business loans beginning March 1, 2026.

  • What’s changing: The SBA issued updated guidance requiring that 100% of all direct and indirect owners of a business seeking SBA loans must be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals with their principal residence in the United States. This eliminates any eligibility for businesses owned by green card holders.
  • Effective date: The rule goes into effect March 1, 2026, meaning any SBA loan applications must have been assigned a loan number before that date to qualify under the old eligibility standards.
  • Programs affected: Major SBA lending programs such as the 7(a) and 504 loan programs will be impacted, cutting off access to federal funding for small businesses owned by green card holders.

#2 New Rules for Green Card Holders Traveling or Planning to Leave the U.S.

A new trend over the past three weeks indicates that green card holders returning from any of the 75 countries listed under President Trump’s visa ban are increasingly being sent to secondary inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for additional questioning. While most are ultimately admitted, the added scrutiny creates yet another hurdle for lawful permanent residents returning to the U.S. after temporary foreign travel.

Social media vetting is also increasing, with green card holders reportedly being asked by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to display their social media accounts during re-entry inspections. Before traveling, it is important to review social media content that could be misinterpreted, taken out of context, or that is inconsistent with your immigration history.

Finally, if you plan to travel to one of the 75 countries named in President’s Trump’s visa ban, it is important to carry documentation explaining the purpose of your trip and evidence of your strong ties to the United States. Being prepared will help facilitate a smoother re-entry process.

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On January 14, 2026, the State Department announced it is pausing the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026, while it develops a new process to assess whether applicants may become a “public charge” (financially dependent on the U.S. government).

Applicants can still apply and attend interviews, but no immigrant visas will not be issued during the pause. The policy affects family-sponsored and employment-based green cards, though dual nationals applying with a passport from a country not on the list are exempt from the suspension.

The policy change focuses on the statutory “public charge” ground of inadmissibility, which allows visa refusal in the event an applicant is found likely to depend on the U.S. government for financial assistance. Consular officers are permitted to consider factors such as an applicant’s health, age, education, employment prospects, and financial stability when evaluating if they are a public charge risk.

It is unclear how long the suspension will last or how the public charge review process will ultimately change.

Immigrant visa applicants from the affected countries should monitor communications from the State Department and prepare for potential delays in visa issuance.

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