House Passes Bill to Block SBA Loans for Refugees, Asylees, and DACA Recipients
The American Entrepreneurs First Act of 2025 passed the House and is now waiting for the Senate to take action. Nothing has happened with this bill since June 2025, and it is considered stalled. It is unlikely to move forward because the Senate often does not schedule bills that have already passed the House.
217–190
No action since June 2025
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
The bill makes all nonimmigrant visa holders — including those on H-1B work visas, E-2 investor visas, and other valid visa categories — ineligible for SBA 7(a) and Title V loans. This is a significant change because many visa holders currently run businesses in the U.S. and rely on federal lending programs. Even if a visa holder owns just a small share of a business, that company would be blocked from receiving these loans.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 190 (Roll no. 156). (text: CR H2510-2511)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 190 (Roll no. 156).
The House of Representatives voted to approve this bill. It now goes to the Senate.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
House Republicans voted to codify Trump administration guidelines preventing noncitizens from accessing SBA loans. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler praised the 'common-sense guardrails' intended to ensure taxpayer-backed funds are reserved for American citizens and legal residents.
Detailed analysis of H.R. 2966 reveals that individuals without U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency would be ineligible for SBA 7(a) and 504 loans. The bill mandates 100% ownership by citizens or green card holders and specifically excludes asylees, refugees, and DACA recipients.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
American Entrepreneurs First Act of 2025
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.