by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 4, 2026

Texas High Schoolers Beat Breaks Off MAGA Man For Not Minding His Business

A slew of high schoolers began to jump the man after he tried attacking a teen protestor.

Some MAGA man played stupid games and ended up with a stupid prize.

The Texas incident went viral on the internet as a group of kids successfully beat up the man after he allegedly tried swinging at a young girl protesting ICE. The Mirror reports that the violence ensued as the man began hurling racist comments at a group of teens demonstrating against ICE.

One of the teen girls then allegedly kicked his truck, prompting the violence as the man tried to attack her. The man, identified by his red MAGA hat, was recorded getting jumped by a slew of high schoolers supporting the young girl after the attempted assault. A CBS Austin news report reposted the footage.

During a student walkout in Buda yesterday, police say a fight broke out between an adult man and a minor. The Hays County DA’s Office is now involved in the investigation.

🎥: Marcus Anthony Martinez@cbsaustin pic.twitter.com/StnPj5VUx2
— Farrah Walton (@FarrahWaltonTV) February 4, 2026

The incident occurred in Kyle, Texas, as students from the Hays Consolidated Independent School District intervened as tensions escalated. In the video, the 45-year-old man, identified by the news outlet as Chad Michael Watts, pushed through the crowd of young protestors to get to the girl who kicked his car. After swinging at her, the young girl fell, leading others to chime in as he kept trying to attack.

The video went viral as a swarm of younger people began throwing punches back, leading the man to run back to his truck. However, the fed-up high schoolers did not stop there. While Watts sat in his truck, trying to avoid the scene, the students threw other objects at his truck amid the frenzy.

As the video gained traction, state officials called for Watts’ arrest for his apparent assault against the teenage girl and another student.

“Have the Kyle, TX police arrested this racist white man who attacked Hispanic girls and other high school students who were protesting ICE?” questioned Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro.

The issue arose as high schoolers across the country participated in an anti-ICE walkout on Feb. 2. While around 500 students in the school district left their classrooms in opposition to ICE raids, some students faced arrests for their behavior during the demonstration.

According to the Kyle Police Department, one student received assault charges for an unrelated incident, while also receiving a charge for resisting arrest. On whether the kids involved with the MAGA man received justice, CBS Austin reports that officers did arrest him. Watts now faces two counts of assault causing bodily injury.

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 4, 2026

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Claps Back After Being Questioned On Protective $163K SUV

Social media users are seemingly pro Mayor Scott, with one Instagram user pointing out how “the president is building a gold ballroom while people in America are struggling.”

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott decided enough was enough while clapping back at a reporter for questioning him about the price tag of a protective executive SUV.

During a press conference, an unidentified Fox 45 News reporter questioned the young mayor about the purchase of a 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer with $163,495 in taxpayers’ money. While the city of Baltimore has been in the news for more positive developments, such as historic lows in violence, this reporter wanted to check in on the vehicle, something Scott wasn’t having.

“Let’s just stop you right there. We understand that your station has a severe right-wing effort underway, we get that, but you guys are dragging this thing out and also not including all the facts. A vehicle that was purchased in 2023 is not the same price as 2025. You have to understand that reality,” Scott said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

When the reporter attempted to interrupt him, the mayor did not back down, reminding her and others that she “asked the same idiotic question now for three months.” Scott continued to school the reporter on how quickly SUV prices can rise, allegedly starting at $90,000 to $100,000.

He then reassured her that the price could go up once police protective equipment, which most cars provide for elected officials have, is added.

“These are not astronomical costs. You guys, and your station in particular, wouldn’t ask the President of the United States how much the beast costs. You wouldn’t do that. You would never do that,” he continued.

“This is ridiculous. Let it go.”

But she didn’t, continuing to press Scott for a little longer about the cost of vehicles for past mayors and claiming he hadn’t answered the question.

However, the 41-year-old held his own, saying, “I did answer the question.”

“Just because you didn’t get the answer that you wanted and your racist slant, that’s one thing,” he finished saying.

City documents show that only two executive vehicles in the state exceed $100,000, both for Baltimore City officials. While Scott said he feels “the residents of Baltimore will understand,” some residents are indifferent. Christian Heath of Federal Hill Park said he’s OK, just “not with taxpayers’ money.”

“If he wants it for himself, yeah. But not with our money.”

Another resident said he understands the cost, touching on the base price of the Wagoneer. “I could see that as a reasonable amount of money,” one unidentified man said. “Considering a basic Jeep Grand Wagoneer is about $70,000.”

But on social media, users are more pro-Mayor Scott, agreeing with his “let it go” sentiments. One Instagram user pointed out how “the president is building a gold ballroom while people in America are struggling.”

One user focused solely on the positive things the mayor is doing for the city, while others pointed out how “we don’t play about Mayor Brandon.”

“Try Again. Black kids are learning how to swim, recreation centers are opened, and he posts summer intern positions. We good,” @andisaidshalom wrote.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 4, 2026

Detroit To Award $1K Microgrants to Local Startups Through New Small Business Fund

Detroit has launched a microgrant program to help local small businesses adopt essential technology and drive economic growth.

Detroit is boosting its local business sector with a new fund offering $1,000 microgrants to small, city-based businesses.

The Detroit Small Business Technology Fund is designed to help the city’s smallest businesses adopt essential technology. Backed by the Rocket Community Fund, it will provide $1,000 grants to 140 Detroit-based businesses with 10 or fewer employees and under $500,000 in annual revenue.

“Small businesses are the heart of Detroit’s economy, and they deserve access to the tools that help them grow and succeed,” Mayor Mary Sheffield said in a statement. “This funding will make it easier for neighborhood small businesses to modernize, reach more customers, and operate more efficiently.”

The grants are tech-focused, with recipients encouraged to use them for hardware, software, and emerging tech tools that enhance daily operations, including laptops, point-of-sale systems, accounting and e-commerce software, and AI platforms.

“Strong neighborhoods are anchored by thriving small businesses,” said Justin Onwenu, director of the Office of Small Business Services and Economic Opportunity for the City of Detroit. “When we invest in our small businesses, we invest in the families they support, the jobs they provide, the communities they serve, and the future we are building together.”

Administered by Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), the technology fund is designed around a local economic flow model in partnership with nine trusted business and neighborhood organizations that will identify grantees.

Each partner will award 10 to 20 grants to small businesses, which must be affiliated with one of the partner organizations to qualify. Participating groups include the Southwest Detroit Business Association, Michigan Black Business Alliance, and Michigan Women Forward.

“Technology is no longer optional. It is foundational,” said Sean Gray, DEGC’s vice president of small business services. “By giving Detroit microbusinesses access to modern tools and connecting them with trusted support organizations, we are strengthening Detroit’s local economy from the ground up.”

RELATED CONTENT: How To Master The Art Of The Follow-Up

by Ida Harris

February 4, 2026

Celebrate 100 Years Of Black History Month With These Events

Events include museum exhibitions, city-sponsored celebrations, community events, and performances.

Black History Month is a nationwide movement to both celebrate and learn about the Black culture and achievements of African Americans and Black people across the diaspora. To kickstart the month-long immersion into Black history and the evolution of Black culture, check out BLACK ENTERPRISE’s four-week series on things to do to celebrate 100 years of Black history and culture across America.

These lists include a host of events from museum exhibitions, city-sponsored celebrations, community events, and performances. These events provide a way for individuals, families, and students to experience Black history and culture while contributing to Black economic growth and development.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Georgia, observes Black History Month through daily events that include storytimes, art activities, and science programs that showcase Black leaders and cultural heritage. The organization provides interactive learning experiences to children and families that focus on Black historical achievements and innovative contributions. Black History Month programs run daily throughout February from 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Atlanta Stories of Strength Walking Tours

ZeNGY Time Travel Tour and Atlanta Cultural Renaissance Tour hosts Atlanta Stories of Strength Walking Tours. The city’s historic Black neighborhoods and landmarks offer interactive storytelling through Atlanta’s cultural tourism organizations. These tours provide visitors with a distinctive way to discover Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods and essential contributions to civil rights and cultural development. Attendees can participate all month long. The Atlanta Stories of Strength website provides additional details about the tours.

Windy Indie: Black Renaissance Music—Chicago

The live performance Windy Indie: Black Renaissance Music will honor Black Renaissance’s musical influences through violin and multi-genre sounds on Feb. 4 at 12 pm at the Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago. The event will highlight Black musical innovation together with cultural expression.

The Butler Screening & Art Explorations—St. Louis

The St. Louis Public Library’s BHM programming presents a film screening and art exploration event titled “The Butler: Film Screening & Art Explorations.” The event will show two films The Butler and The Help and will include Black fashion and art explorations during Black History Month. The event will take place Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 at 1:30 pm CST, with art programs scheduled for Feb. 5 and Feb. 9. The event will be held at the SLPL Buder & Barr Libraries in St. Louis. The event will unite film, artistic expression and community conversations to highlight Black cultural stories. For more information, please visit the SLPL Black History Month calendar.

Un/Bound Highlight Tour—Richmond, Virginia

On Feb. 7 at 10:30 am, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture will offer a free guided tour to showcase the history of free Black Virginians, who lived in the commonwealth region before the Civil War. The exhibition Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619–1865 serves as the main focus of the family-friendly tour. It is $13 for adults; $10 for children ages 6-17; and free for children up to age 5.

Bound by Law: Limits to Emancipation—North Carolina

The North Carolina African American Heritage Commission presents an educational virtual event about the legal restrictions on emancipation during and after the American Revolution. The online program takes place Feb. 4, between 12 pm–1 p.m. EST and offers a deep dive into the initial legal battles that Black Americans faced while seeking freedom.

Black History Month Opening Ceremonies—Los Angeles

The City of Los Angeles, Our Authors Study Club, Inc., and the Mayor’s office, will host official citywide Black History Month opening ceremonies, which will include include honorees, art exhibitions, and a community reception, on Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Los Angeles City Hall. The ceremony commemorates 76 years of Los Angeles Black History Month programming while recognizing local leaders.

Harlem Chamber Players—New York City

The Harlem Chamber Players classical ensemble will perform a free concert, “American Landscapes,” on Feb. 5 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Aaron Davis Hall at City College. The concert features musical works which demonstrate Black influence on classical music and performance while honoring Black History Month with African American artistic musical traditions. Attendance is on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Mardi Gras Memphis

The city of Memphis is hosting of three-day weekend filled with activations, music, and community pride and a family friendly, Mardi Gras-themed block party with Mid-South, Memphis flavor, that includes a big band, parade, a ceremonial crowning of the king and Queen of Mardi Gras and concludes with a Mardi tailgate. Festivities run Feb. 6 to 8.

by Kandiss Edwards

February 4, 2026

Mariah Carey Stays Dedicated To ‘Camp Mariah’ Youth Summer Program

The singer has been involved with the Fresh Air Fund for more than 30 years.

The Mariah Carey youth summer program that introduces middle school students to such topics as robotics and environmental science in partnership with The Fresh Air Fund will continue in 2026.

Every summer since 1994, students with the Fresh Air Fund Career Awareness Program spend three weeks at Camp Mariah in Fishkill, New York, which provides summer experiences for children from low-income communities. Students ages 11 to 13 will engage with educational programming focused on career exploration.

Camp Mariah incorporates robotics instruction as part of its curriculum, giving students exposure to technology-based learning alongside environmental science classes. The program is designed to provide hands-on educational experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom settings.

Carey has been involved with Camp Mariah since its founding in 1994 and serves on the Fresh Air Fund’s board. Her involvement includes helping support the camp’s programming and fundraising efforts.

on this day in 1995, mariah carey inaugurated “camp mariah” with the fresh air fund in new york pic.twitter.com/IcdULSa2Rh
— mariah carey media (@MCAREYARCHIVES) July 19, 2022

The Emancipation of Mimi vocalist has long offered its young participants exposure to multiple fields, including science and technology, as well as opportunities to enter a professional recording studio. The robotics and technical components are only a few of the educational tracks in the camp’s curriculum.

Carey often posts about million-dollar fundraising efforts on behalf of the New York-based organization. In 1994, Carey debuted the highest-grossing Christmas song of all time, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” as part of a fundraiser that raised $700,000 in support of the Fresh Air Fund.

Camp Mariah and other Fresh Air Fund camps require no special requirements to attend and are free for low-income children. Camps and summer programs vary to accommodate ages 8 to 17.

Starbucks, closures, restructuring, tariffs

by Kandiss Edwards

February 4, 2026

Former Starbucks Director Files Retaliation Lawsuit After Warning About ‘Maggot’ Machinery

Waszak alleges she was fired after flagging problems involving a proprietary espresso system.

A former Starbucks executive filed a lawsuit alleging retaliation after raising health and safety concerns.

Janice Waszak claims that after she alerted higher-ups in the company about the condition of new in-store equipment, she was swiftly let go from her position. Waszak worked at the company for nearly two decades and most recently held the title of director of concept innovation. In addition to retaliation, she alleges workplace discrimination.

According to Fox Business, Waszak alleges she was fired after flagging problems involving a proprietary espresso system known internally as the Siren System. Waszak’s complaint reveals that during equipment testing, she identified a host of safety and sanitation concerns connected to the system. As the Siren System poses cleaning challenges associated with the machine’s design, the “potential for maggots or other contaminants to grow in the equipment” is high. Furthermore, she claims the equipment caught fire during testing.

Waszak claims she reported these issues to supervisors and other company leaders. She urged that the problems be addressed before wider rollout. Instead of acting on those concerns, Starbucks terminated her employment in December 2023.

According to the suit, Waszak initially affirmed internal assessments that minimized or failed to detail the system’s health and safety risks. The former employee says that due to pressure, she went along with the misleading information.

Starbucks has denied the allegations. Fox Business reported that the company said Waszak was terminated following an internal investigation that concluded she violated workplace policies. Starbucks has stated it intends to defend itself against the claims in court, stating the allegations “are entirely without merit.”

The company contends Waszak “was separated from the company after an investigation into allegations that her conduct violated Starbucks’ workplace conduct policies.”

The legal dispute comes when the company is already under increased scrutiny. The company is currently in negotiations with Starbucks Workers United over higher pay and better workplace conditions. Since Nov. 13, 2025, unionized baristas have been on an open-ended strike, beginning with picket signs in dozens of stores and spreading to hundreds of locations across the United States.

Starbucks Workers United said the strike expanded to more than 180 stores in about 130 cities. The barista walkout marks one of the longest labor walkouts in the chain’s history. Some employees have capitulated and returned to regular shifts at unionized locations. The union’s demands include improved staffing levels, higher take-home pay, and resolution of hundreds of unfair labor practice charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

by Kandiss Edwards

February 4, 2026

Schomburg Center Releases ‘100 Black Voices,’ A Comprehensive Look At Black Literary Excellence

The selections come from writers, artists, and scholars.

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture has released 100 Black Voices, a centennial reading list of 100 books by Black authors, with a curated selection available to New York Public Library (NYPL) cardholders as instant e-books and audiobooks through Feb. 28.

The list was led by the Schomburg Center’s Research and Reference Division and draws on recommendations from writers, artists, and scholars, including Jelani Cobb, Glenn Ligon, Imani Perry, Alison Stewart, Maya Angelou, and Toni Morrison.

The titles include works tied to the Harlem Renaissance as well as widely read contemporary books (Between the World and Me, Things Fall Apart), classics (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Sula), and others.

Access to select titles is available through the New York Public Library site and the Libby app.

“Not only were we able to engage brilliant minds about their favorite books, but we also received thoughtful and unexpected choices to encourage our patrons to read, discover, and explore.,” said Maira Liriano, associate chief librarian of the Schomburg Center’s Research and Reference Division. “The list is a continuation of our legacy of literacy in encouraging the exploration and access to Black literature and highlights the many riches in our vast research collections.”

100 years. 100 books. 100 Black voices. 📚

The Schomburg Centennial Reading List is made up personal recommendations of the most impactful books by Black authors from some of today's most celebrated writers, artists, and journalists, library luminaries, all organized by the… pic.twitter.com/OCQtY34M8U
— NY Public Library (@nypl) January 29, 2026

NYPL said select titles from the list are available right away, with no wait times. Patrons can borrow e-books and audiobooks for three weeks through Libby

The library system has released the 100 Black Voices during the 100th anniversary of Black History Month and of the Schomburg Center.

The center originated at NYPL’s 135th Street Branch. The Division of Negro Literature, History, and Prints opened on May 8, 1925, the NYPL said. It is now one of the world’s leading cultural organizations devoted to preserving and exhibiting materials focused on African American, African Diasporan, and African experiences.

Its collections total more than 11 million items.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 4, 2026

Full Circle Strategies CEO And Win With Black Women Founder Jotaka Eaddy To Receive Luminary Award At 2026 Women Of Power Summit

Jotaka Eaddy's visionary strides across business, tech, and politics have led to a 2026 Luminary Award at the BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit.

Jotaka Eaddy, CEO of Full Circle Strategies, C-suite strategist, and visionary of the Win With Black Women movement, is among the next-generation power leaders set to be honored at the Luminary Awards during the 2026 BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit.

Often dubbed the “Olivia Pope of Silicon Valley,” Eaddy will take the main stage to accept one of five Luminary Awards at the annual awards gala honoring Black women trailblazers making significant impacts in their respective fields. The honor underscores Eaddy’s far-reaching influence across business, tech, and politics, driven by initiatives focused on transformative change and global impact.

As founder and CEO of Full Circle Strategies, she has led high-profile campaigns for Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network, Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women initiative, and The Color Purple film launch.

Through her #WinWithBlackWomen movement, Eaddy has also built a formidable cross-sector network of Black women that has shaped major national moments, from Kamala Harris’ presidential run to the confirmation of the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court.

“When we as Black women show our economic power, our political power, it sends a message to the country about our rightful place in this country, but also about the investments in Black women,” Eaddy said of the movement. “How do we close these gaps? How do we harness the collective power of Black women so that we collectively rise?”

Before launching #WinWithBlackWomen, Eaddy had already carved out a reputation as a veteran strategist with more than two decades of experience in policy, advocacy, and movement building. Through Full Circle Strategies, she has led regulatory, legislative, and social impact efforts at the federal and state levels for major nonprofits and top tech companies, serving as a key bridge between Washington, D.C., and Silicon Valley.

In 2020, after years of driving meaningful change, she founded #WinWithBlackWomen as an intergenerational, intersectional network of Black women leaders spanning business, sports, politics, entertainment, and social movements, credited with playing a key role in the historic 2020 election that ushered in the nation’s first Black woman vice president. The network of women powerhouses has advanced agendas led by—and benefiting—Black women and their communities, garnering over 600 million impressions across social media.

After years as one of the few Black women in a Silicon Valley C-suite, Eaddy remains a vocal advocate for diversity and accountability in tech, serving as a board adviser to startups including Maker’s Row, Gauge, Tech Dojo, and Hustle. From 2009 to 2014, she also served as a senior advisor at the NAACP, where she helped lead major voting rights wins—from expanding rights for people with felony convictions to pushing back against voter suppression laws nationwide.

The 2026 Luminary Award adds to Eaddy’s growing list of honors, which include a National Action Network Women of Power recognition, Essence’s Women to Watch, SF Business Times Most Powerful Women in Business, the Digital Diversity Network’s Innovation and Inclusion Social Entrepreneurs Award, and Good Morning America’s 2020 All-Stars.

RELATED CONTENT: Women Of Power 2026

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 4, 2026

Philadelphia City Council Wants To Restrict Federal Agents With New ‘ICE OUT’ Legislation

The Philadelphia City Council has introduced ‘ICE OUT’ legislation to limit how the federal immigration agency operates in the city.

The Philadelphia City Council is looking to restrict how city agencies interact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through its newly introduced “ICE OUT” legislation.

On Jan. 27, Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Rue Landau introduced the “ICE OUT” legislative package, a set of seven bills backed by more than 40 local organizations that would restrict how federal immigration agents operate in Philadelphia, CBS News reports. The bills include measures to ban ICE and other agents from concealing their identities with face masks or using unmarked vehicles, among others.

“It’s our responsibility as local electeds to make sure we’re protecting our people here in Philadelphia, so that’s the purpose of this legislation,” Brooks said.

The proposed legislation would bar city agencies from collaborating with ICE, collecting immigration status information, or sharing data with the federal agency—a move Council leaders describe as a focused effort to regulate ICE operations in the city. Mayor Cherelle Parker has said she looks forward to reviewing the bills.

“We are aware of the potential challenges that we face, and we understand the public’s fear of the unknown, as it relates to federal policy associated with immigration,” Parker said in a statement shared on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker (@phillymayor)

Councilmembers say the legislation will bolster Philadelphia’s existing Welcoming City policies. While similar proposals have been introduced in other cities, Brooks and Landau call this the most comprehensive set of ICE‑related legislation in the country.

“Philly needs to take care of Philly, and that is what we’re doing right now,” one speaker said during the council session.

“There shouldn’t be a single dime of Philadelphia tax dollars and not a single second of Philadelphia workers collaborating with an agency that is stomping all over the Constitution,” Jasmine Rivera, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, said.

The bills, developed with input from immigration and community groups, come as city leaders respond to widely reported ICE‑related violence, including multiple deaths connected to federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota that have sparked protests nationwide, and recent concerns about the death of a man while in ICE custody in Philadelphia.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has criticized Philadelphia’s legislation, warning it could make the city less safe.

“When politicians bar local law enforcement from working with us, that is when we have to have a more visible presence so that we can find and apprehend the criminals let out of jails and back into communities,” the statement said in part.

The legislation comes as federal officials signal a shift in enforcement strategy, with Trump’s “border czar” Tom Homan saying ICE will emphasize targeted operations focused on criminals and may reduce broad street patrols in places like Minnesota. However, city leaders argue the proposed laws would still conflict with that approach, since they would bar city employees from granting ICE access to city‑owned spaces without a judicial warrant.

“While we don’t want ICE in Philadelphia, if they’re going to be here, they need to rise to the level of the basic safety practices we’ve already created in Philadelphia,” Landau said.

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 4, 2026

SBA Shuts Doors On Small Business Loans To Green Card Holders In Latest Anti-Immigration Move

Opponents say the change contradicts the agency’s mission of supporting the growth of small businesses.

Small businesses owned by legal permanent residents (LPRs), or green card holders, will no longer be eligible for Small Business Administration (SBA) loans as of March 1, a move that terminates longstanding eligibility rules and targets immigrant-founded businesses, The Business Journal reports.

The policy change, announced Feb. 2, now requires 100% of direct and indirect owners of loan applicants to be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals residing stateside or within U.S. territories. Green card holders are no longer eligible.

The two primary loans in question are 7(a) loans, typically used for general business purposes such as working capital and equipment. Then there are 504 loans, used primarily for purchasing commercial real estate and heavy equipment. The new rule applies to eligible borrowers, operating companies, and passive companies, including direct and indirect ownership interests. Loans involving LPR owners are required to receive an SBA loan number prior to March 1 in order to stay eligible.

While the SBA claims the update is in accordance with federal regulations and Executive Order 14159 “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” administrator Kelly Loeffler said the changes reflect the current administration’s goals, according to Inc.

“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,” Loeffler said.

“It’s not very realistic at all,” executive director of Cen Cal Business Finance Group, Frank Gallegos, countered.

“This past year has been the opposite direction,” he explained, urging those impacted to contact their elected officials. “These people legally immigrate, they come here, they’re living the American dream.”

Congressional Democrats such as Senate Small Business Committee Ranking Member Edward Markey (D-MA) and House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) say the change is an attack on immigrant entrepreneurs.

“The Trump administration is stoking the flames of hatred, spreading fear and confusion among immigrants and small business owners,” the lawmakers said in a statement. In December 2025, the SBA announced plans to permit up to 5% foreign national ownership while banning Chinese citizens specifically, and then reversing the plan entirely with the new policy.

“Rather than support hard-working legal immigrants to start or expand a business, the Trump SBA is choosing hatred by barring green card holders from receiving an SBA loan,” Markey and Velázquez said.