H.R. 9943: Businessowner Immigration Rights and Responsibilities Information Act of 2026

This bill would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create and share educational materials for small businesses about what owners and employees can do if federal immigration enforcement agents come to the business or detain someone there.

What the SBA would have to make

• Online learning materials explaining how to respond to an immigration enforcement action at a business.
• A card, in both electronic and printed form, with key rights and response steps.
• Planning and compliance materials to help businesses prepare in advance for possible enforcement actions.

What the materials would cover

The bill says the SBA’s materials would include information on:

• staying calm during an encounter with immigration enforcement;
• the right to remain silent, refuse to answer questions, and refuse to sign documents;
• the right to see a signed judicial search warrant before officers search private areas of the business;
• how to respond to unlawful searches or seizures by federal immigration enforcement agents;
• what to do if an owner or employee is arrested or detained, including the right to speak with a lawyer right away;
• how to contact members of Congress for help connecting with legal representation or casework assistance;
• best practices for planning ahead, such as sharing response plans with a trusted person off-site, practicing the plan with employees, and marking private areas;
• the responsibility of employers to follow immigration and work authorization rules when hiring;
• how to handle I-9 audits, immigration inspection notices, and sanctions for alleged hiring violations, including the right to get a lawyer.

How the information would be shared

• The SBA would have to make the online materials publicly available through its existing learning platform.
• The card and planning materials would have to be posted on regional and district SBA websites.
• SBA regional and district offices would be allowed to distribute printed copies.
• The SBA would coordinate with “resource partners” to spread the information further, including through webinars and in-person training.

Language and content rules

• The materials would have to be available in the 15 most commonly spoken languages in the U.S. other than English, including Spanish and Chinese, plus American Sign Language.
• Each item would need a disclaimer saying it is for general information only and not legal advice.
• The bill says the materials cannot include statements that blame business owners or employees for immigration compliance mistakes, question the legitimacy of a person’s presence in the U.S., discourage use of SBA services because of immigration status, or disagree with the bill’s required content.

Accuracy and updates

The SBA would be required to keep the information current and factually accurate, consulting with Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, other agencies as needed, and relevant outside experts. The agency would also have to update the materials when immigration laws change.

Deadline

The SBA would have to set up these resources within 180 days after the bill becomes law.

Relevant Companies

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