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Bill

HR 9943

Businessowner Immigration Rights and Responsibilities Information Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Nanette Barragán and 14 co-sponsors

The bill requires the SBA to provide educational resources, a rights card, and planning tools to help small businesses understand and prepare for immigration enforcement actions.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9943

Overview

  • Bill: HR 9943, the Businessowner Immigration Rights and Responsibilities Information Act of 2026
  • Purpose: Amend the Small Business Act to help owners and employees of small business concerns understand their rights and responsibilities related to immigration enforcement.
  • Sponsor/Intro: Introduced July 23, 2026, by Representative Velázquez with multiple co-sponsors.

Main purpose and intent

  • Provide educational resources to small businesses about immigration enforcement actions.
  • Ensure small business owners and employees understand their rights, procedures, and options during and after immigration enforcement actions.
  • Equip small businesses with planning tools to prepare for potential enforcement encounters and audits.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 49 (new) added to the Small Business Act (re-designation of section 49 to 50 later in the act):
    • (a) SBA responsibilities
    • The Administrator must establish and maintain:
      • Educational resources and modules about rights and responsibilities during or after immigration enforcement actions.
      • A card (electronic and printed) with essential information for owners and employees.
      • Compliance and planning materials to prepare for potential enforcement actions.
    • (b) Required contents
    • Educational resources/modules must cover:
      • How to respond to attempted or anticipated enforcement actions on business premises.
      • Remain calm; rights to remain silent; right to see a signed judicial warrant; how to respond to unconstitutional/unlawful searches.
      • Information on arrest/detention responses, including rights to counsel, staying silent, and contact with Members of Congress for casework help.
      • Best practices for planning responses (e.g., designate trusted individuals, practice response plans, mark private areas).
      • Immigration/work authorization compliance when vetting employees, staying updated on regulations.
      • Preparation for I-9 audits, enforcement inspections, and employer sanctions, including rights to legal representation.
    • The card should summarize the same content as the educational resources.
    • Compliance and planning materials must include the planning elements (best practices for planning, etc.) and the right to legal counsel during enforcement actions.
    • (c) Dissemination
    • Resources and modules must be publicly available on SBA’s online learning platform.
    • The card and planning materials must be accessible on SBA regional/district office websites, and offices may distribute physical copies.
    • (d) Prohibited content
    • Content may not blame owners/employees for immigration compliance errors.
    • Content may not disagree with statutory requirements or the purpose of the section.
    • Content may not discourage using SBA resources based on immigration status.
    • (e) Accuracy and maintenance
    • The SBA Administrator must ensure information is accurate and up-to-date, consulting DHS, EOIR, other relevant agencies, and experts in civil liberties and immigration law.
    • The Administrator may consider information from private and nonprofit entities and may incorporate it into the materials.
    • Updates must be made in response to changes in immigration law.
    • (f) Resource partner involvement
    • Coordination with resource partners to disseminate information to raise awareness among small businesses.
    • Partners may include state/local governments and provide related webinars and training.
    • (g) Translated materials
    • Information must be available in the 15 most commonly spoken languages in the U.S. besides English (explicitly including Spanish and Chinese) and American Sign Language.

Who is affected

  • Small business concerns (owners and employees) across the United States.
  • SBA offices (national, regional, and district) responsible for education, outreach, and materials.
  • Resource partners (including state/local governments and civil rights/immigration law experts) that disseminate information.
  • Potential beneficiaries of legal information and planning materials related to immigration enforcement actions and compliance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date not specified; however, a deadline is set:
    • The SBA Administrator must establish the educational resources, card, and planning materials not later than 180 days after enactment.
  • Re-designation note: Section numbering shifts (Section 49 becomes 50) as part of the Small Business Act amendment.

Practical impact

  • Provides a standardized, government-backed set of resources to educate small businesses about:
    • Rights during enforcement actions (searches, detentions, and interactions with federal agents).
    • Procedures to seek legal counsel and congressional casework assistance.
    • Compliance responsibilities related to employment and work authorization.
    • Preparedness practices (planning, drills, clearly marking private areas).
  • Aims to improve awareness and reduce confusion during potentially disruptive immigration enforcement events.
  • Emphasizes accessibility and language inclusion to reach diverse small business communities.

Note: The bill emphasizes informational content and legal disclaimers, but explicitly states it does not provide legal advice and directs individuals to consult attorneys for legal matters.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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