MYNORTHWEST NEWS

U.S. Small Business Administration to leave Seattle and other ‘sanctuary cities’

Mar 7, 2025, 7:48 AM | Updated: 7:58 am

Small Business Adminstration 'sanctuary cities'...

The U.S. Small Business Administration logo is superimposed on a photo of the Seattle skyline. (Photos: Peter Morgan, AP and Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest)

(Photos: Peter Morgan, AP and Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) plans to pull out of so-called “sanctuary cities,” including Seattle.

The SBA said it will relocate six of its regional offices “currently in municipalities that do not comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” Those offices are in Seattle, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver and New York City.

“Over the last four years, the record invasion of illegal aliens has jeopardized both the lives of American citizens and the livelihoods of American small business owners, who have each become victims of Joe Biden’s migrant crime spree,” Administrator Kelly Loeffler said in a news release Thursday. “Under President Trump, the SBA is committed to putting American citizens first again – starting by ensuring that zero taxpayer dollars go to fund illegal aliens.”

More from MyNorthwest: House Republican Leader highlights improved relations after Inslee’s exit

SBA to institute new policies regarding ‘sanctuary cities’

According to the news release, the SBA will institute a new policy “requiring SBA loan applications to include a citizenship verification provision to ensure only legal, eligible applicants can access SBA programs.”

“Today, I am pleased to announce that this agency will cut off access to loans for illegal aliens and relocate our regional offices out of sanctuary cities that reward criminal behavior,” Loeffler said. “We will return our focus to empowering legal, eligible business owners across the United States – in partnership with the municipalities who share this administration’s commitment to secure borders and safe communities.”

The release did not provide a timeline for the closure of the Seattle office.

More from MyNorthwest: Workers with immigration hearings can use paid sick leave to attend under bill passed by WA Senate

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U.S. Small Business Administration to leave Seattle and other ‘sanctuary cities’