The Small Business Administration said that it would move six of its regional offices to so-called “sanctuary cities”, part of a wider Trump administration effort to suppress the cities he deems to have policies adapted to immigrants.
In a statement Thursday, the SBA administrator Kelly Loeffler said that the offices of Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York and Seattle will be moved to “less expensive and more accessible places that are better used for the small businesses and will comply with the federal immigration law”.
No details were given in the place where the offices could move.
There is no legal definition for Sanctuary city policiesBut they generally limit cooperation by local police with federal immigration agents. The courts have repeatedly maintained the legality of the laws on the sanctuary.
The announcement came one day after Wednesday, Republican members of the Congress hammered four Democratic mayors about their sanctuary city policiesAccusing them of having endangered the Americans and threatening to continue local officials.
The SBA was created in 1953 to provide resources to small businesses and helps administer small businesses and resumption loans after claim. He played a crucial role during the pandemic, helping to distribute small businesses. It has at least one district office in each state, and some larger states, such as California and Texas, have several. The offices provide advice, training and other resources that provide support for small businesses.
The SBA office which serves most of the west and center of Oregon, as well as southwest of Washington, is located in Portland and did not appear on the announced reinstallation list.
In addition, the Loeffler said that SBA loans will not be eligible for companies who have owners “in whole or in part” who are not American citizens. The SBA does not give direct loans, except when they are linked to disasters, but it works with lenders to distribute loans to small businesses. Loans generally have better rates than traditional loans.
The SBA did not respond to a comment request for more details.
– The Associated Press