Green card holders will no longer be eligible for government-backed small business loans in the United States beginning March 1, 2026, following a policy change by the US Small Business Administration that tightens citizenship and residency requirements for borrowers. The revised rules limit access to key SBA lending programs exclusively to US citizens and nationals who maintain their principal residence within the country or its territories, effectively barring lawful permanent residents from participation. According to an official policy notice issued in early February, the agency updated its Standard Operating Procedure 50 10 8, the framework that governs lender and development company loan programs. The revision rescinds earlier procedural guidance that permitted limited ownership by foreign nationals or certain residents living outside the United States. Under the new language, every direct and indirect owner of a small business applicant must meet the citizenship criteria. The SBA said the updated rules require 100 percent of ownership interests in any applicant or borrowing entity to be held by eligible US citizens or nationals. As a result, even minority ownership by a legal permanent resident will disqualify a company from receiving SBA-backed financing. The policy applies broadly to applicants, operating companies, and entities tied to the loan structure, leaving little flexibility for mixed-ownership businesses. The change is expected to affect a wide range of small and early-stage firms that rely on SBA loans for working capital, equipment purchases, and expansion. Many startups and family-owned enterprises depend on these lending programs because they offer lower interest rates and government guarantees that make financing more accessible. With the new restrictions in place, businesses that include green card holders among their owners may need to reconsider ownership arrangements or seek alternative sources of credit from private lenders. Agency officials indicated that the revisions align loan eligibility standards with existing federal regulations and a recent executive directive emphasizing stricter residency compliance. The policy will take effect for all new applications submitted on or after the effective date. Existing and prospective borrowers are being advised to review their ownership structures carefully to ensure continued eligibility under the updated requirements. The move marks a significant shift in how federal small business lending programs define qualification, narrowing access to public funds and reshaping the financing landscape for immigrant entrepreneurs. As the implementation date approaches, legal and financial advisers expect increased demand for guidance from affected business owners who must evaluate their options within the new framework.

Applications for the EB-1A employment-based immigrant visa, commonly known as the Einstein visa, have increased sharply as long backlogs continue to affect the broader US immigration system. The EB-1A category, which allows individuals with extraordinary ability to self-petition for permanent residency without employer sponsorship, has attracted growing interest from professionals seeking a faster path to a green card amid delays in other visa routes. The surge comes at a time when

The United States has paused the Diversity Visa Lottery, commonly known as the green card lottery, marking a significant shift in its immigration landscape at a time of heightened scrutiny over legal migration pathways. The decision, announced under the direction of the administration led by Donald Trump, has added to the uncertainty already surrounding work and study visas, particularly the H-1B pr

The Trump administration on Thursday ordered an immediate suspension of the United States’ diversity visa lottery programme, citing national security concerns following deadly shootings at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The directive was issued by the Department of Homeland Security after authorities confirmed that the suspect in the attacks had entered the country through the diversity visa programme, also known as the green card lottery. Homeland Security

The family of an Indian-origin woman living in Southern California has described a deeply distressing experience after she was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement during what was expected to be the final step of her green card process. Babblejit “Bubbly” Kaur, 60, a longtime member of the Long Beach restaurant community, was taken into custody on December 1 while attending a scheduled biometric appointment connected to her application for permanent residency. Kaur has lived in the United States since 1994 and had reached the final stage of the green card process after her petition was approved through sponsorship by her US citizen daughter and son-in-law. According to her family, the appointment was meant to be a routine procedure, required before the issuance of permanent residency status. Instead, it ended with federal agents detaining her without prior notice or explanation. Her daughter, Joti Kaur, said her mother sensed something was wrong even before the appointment began. When Kaur arrived at the immigration office, several federal agents reportedly entered the building and proceeded to a back room. Shortly afterward, she was called into the same area, where agents informed her that she was being arrested. Family members maintain that Kaur has no criminal record and has complied with immigration requirements throughout her decades in the country. Joti described the arrest as traumatic, stating that her mother was placed in a van with several men and restrained with shackles on her hands and feet. The family was not immediately told where she had been taken, heightening fears during the first few hours following her detention. They later learned that she had been transferred to an immigration detention facility in Los Angeles. Conditions inside the facility have added to the family’s concern. According to Joti, her mother has been held in a crowded room with more than two dozen detainees. She has struggled to sleep due to constant lighting and noise throughout the night, including frequent crying and shouting. The prolonged uncertainty and lack of clear communication have taken an emotional toll on both Kaur and her family. The Department of Homeland Security has not publicly disclosed the reason for Kaur’s detention. Her family says they are still seeking clarity on what led to the arrest, particularly given that her green card petition had already been approved and she was nearing the completion of the process. Kaur and her husband are well known in Long Beach, where they operated Natraj Cuisine of India and Nepal for more than two decades until the Covid pandemic disrupted the restaurant industry. The couple, who raised three children in the US, are regarded by community members as hardworking and deeply rooted in the area. In recent years, Kaur had continued working in the local restaurant sector. Local elected officials have expressed concern over the case, with one congressman stating that his office is actively working to assist the family and condemning what he described as actions that instill fear among law-abiding immigrants. For the Kaurs, the episode has transformed a long-awaited immigration milestone into an ongoing ordeal, as they wait for answers and hope for her safe return home.

The United States has initiated a comprehensive review of Green Cards held by permanent residents from 19 designated “countries of concern” after a deadly shooting near the White House left one National Guard member dead and another injured. The directive, issued by President Donald Trump, instructs US Citizenship and Immigration Services to reassess existing Green Cards and tighten vetting standards for residents originating from these nations. Officials described the Washington attack as an act of terror, citing the suspected assailant’s Afghan nationality as a factor prompting immediate policy action. Under the updated USCIS guidance, agency officers may now treat an applicant’s country of origin as a significant adverse factor when assessing eligibility for immigration benefits. This marks a notable shift in the approach to immigration review, as the order applies not only to new applicants but also to long-term permanent residents whose Green Cards were approved under earlier administrations. The list of 19 countries includes Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These countries mirror those identified in a June presidential proclamation that imposed full or partial entry suspensions. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the policy aims to strengthen national security by giving officers broader discretion to weigh security concerns. He emphasized that ensuring stringent screening remains a core responsibility of the agency, stressing that the safety of American citizens is paramount. According to Edlow, the updated guidance directly responds to the Washington shooting and reflects the administration’s belief that previous vetting procedures were weakened in recent years. The shooting suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a resettlement initiative created after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lakanwal had served alongside US Special Forces and spent more than a decade as a soldier in the Afghan army. Authorities said the incident has reignited debate surrounding resettlement programmes for individuals from conflict-affected regions, especially those relocated under emergency evacuation procedures. While the revised review process affects a wide group of nationalities, officials confirmed that Indian Green Card holders will not be impacted. However, immigration experts noted that the move forms part of a broader tightening of immigration policy that could signal further enforcement actions in the coming months. They cautioned that the directive underscores a continued shift toward heightened scrutiny of immigrants from nations perceived as high-risk, particularly in cases involving national security. The comprehensive review is expected to unfold over the coming months as USCIS examines existing records and evaluates cases under the strengthened criteria. Officials maintain that the updated policy is designed to close gaps in the vetting process, asserting that national security concerns necessitate more rigorous oversight of immigration status for individuals from the identified countries. The directive marks one of the administration’s most extensive actions on immigration security since the presidential proclamation earlier this year.

Several foreign-born spouses of United States citizens have been detained during routine green card interviews at the San Diego immigration office, according to recent reports. The detentions, which began on November 12, have affected dozens of couples who arrived for scheduled appointments intended to advance the process of obtaining lawful permanent residency. Instead, the interviews ended with federal agents escorting the foreign spouse away, often in handcuffs, on allegations of violating

At 38, Delhi-born Shilpa Chaudhary has taken a path few imagine — trading a civilian routine for military fatigues in the United States Army. An Indian citizen and lawful permanent resident of the US, Chaudhary chose to serve the country that became her adopted home, reflecting both courage and complexity in an era where immigration debates remain deeply polarized. As a Green Card holder, Chaudhary was eligible to enlist under a long-standing US Department of Defense policy that a

A significant policy change by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to impact thousands of foreign professionals working across the country. Beginning October 30, 2025, the DHS will end the automatic extension of certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), a move that could temporarily leave many workers without legal permission to work while their renewal applications are processed. Until now, employees whose work permits had expired but whose renew

For Indian professionals in the United States, one of the most important career decisions is choosing between startups and multinational corporations (MNCs). Both paths offer unique advantages and challenges, and the choice can shape not only professional growth but also lifestyle, immigration stability, and long-term career opportunities. Understanding the differences helps in making an informed decision aligned with personal

For thousands of Indian students pursuing higher education in the United States, the transition from graduation to a full-time career often revolves around two crucial pathways: Green Card sponsorship and OPT (Optional Practical Training) extension. Both options allow students to continue their journey in the U.S., but each comes with unique benefits, limitations, and long-term implications. Understanding these differences is e

Indians and other immigrants hoping to live and work legally in the United States will now face a new obstacle with the introduction of an anti Americanism screening. The policy, announced by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, instructs immigration officers to evaluate whether green card applicants have ever endorsed, supported, or promoted anti American, antisemitic, or terrorist views. Officials argue that this screening is necessary to protect the

The U nonimmigrant visa, commonly known as the U visa, is a special immigration benefit offered by the United States to noncitizens who have been victims of certain serious crimes and are willing to assist law enforcement or government agencies in the investigation or prosecution of those crimes. Established under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, the primary goal of the U visa program is to support both public safety and humanitarian needs. It provides a way for

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is currently facing one of the largest processing backlogs in its history, with pending immigration cases surging to a record 11.3 million. This growing crisis in the federal immigration system is being attributed to a mix of outdated processing models, staffing shortages, and a shift in federal policy approaches over recent years. Immigration attorneys and experts say that the seeds of the current situation were so

In a celebration of diversity, perseverance, and new beginnings, over 700 individuals from 93 different countries officially became citizens of the United States. Surrounded by family and friends, the new Americans stood proudly to take the oath of allegiance and received their certificates of naturalization, marking the final step of a long and often emotional journey. The event was a powerful reminder of the personal sacrifices and determination it takes to achieve U.S. citizens

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is launching a widespread crackdown on fraudulent EB-1A visa applications, particularly targeting individuals who may have manipulated their profiles using low-quality publications, fake citations, and questionable awards. Immigration attorney Rahul Reddy recently revealed that several EB-1A petitions—mostly filed by Indian nationals—are being reopened and reviewed, with some already facing rev

US President Donald Trump has unveiled a new immigration initiative officially dubbed the "Gold Card" or “Trump Card” allowing wealthy foreign nationals to gain a pathway to US residency by contributing $5 million to the federal government. The announcement came via Trump’s Truth Social post, where he likened the card to a “more sophisticated” version of the Green Card, branding it a “beautiful road” to acces