02/28/2026
Legal permanent residents in the United States are facing a wave of new restrictions as immigration enforcement expands beyond undocumented migrants to include Green Card holders. Immigration attorneys say at least six significant rule changes are either already in force or set to take effect soon.
First, from March 1, Green Card holders will no longer qualify for Small Business Administration (SBA) loans if they hold even a minor ownership stake in a business applying for funding. Companies must now be fully owned by US citizens to remain eligible.
Second, background checks during Green Card renewals and citizenship applications are becoming more rigorous, with deeper scrutiny of past records and eligibility history.
Third, mandatory biometric entry-exit tracking began in December 2025, requiring permanent residents to submit biometric data when leaving and re-entering the US.
Fourth, some refugees who fail to adjust to permanent residency within a year may face detention.
Fifth, conditional Green Card holders could receive surprise home or workplace visits to verify eligibility.
Sixth, proposed prevailing wage rule changes may raise costs for H-1B visas and employment-based Green Card sponsorship, potentially affecting hiring decisions across industries.
CREDIT: The above report is courtesy of Business News 100 page.
