Minnesota State Wire

Brad Finstad, Representative of Minnesota, said that his 'Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act' aims to relocate Small Business Administration (SBA) offices to safer areas and enhance small business services due to public safety concerns. This statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Sanctuary city policies are contributing to a growing public safety threat," said Finstad. "My legislation, the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act, which passed on the House Floor, will relocate SBA offices out of sanctuary cities to areas that uphold the rule of law and can better serve the small business community."

The Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act, passed by the U.S. House in June 2025, mandates that any SBA office located in a "sanctuary city" must relocate within 60 days, as detailed by Congress.gov. The legislation is part of Republican efforts to pressure sanctuary jurisdictions over their immigration enforcement policies, linking federal business support to compliance with immigration law. This debate has intensified amid claims that sanctuary policies jeopardize public safety and business resources, though such claims remain contested.

A study by the University of New Mexico published in 2025 found that sanctuary cities do not have higher crime rates than non-sanctuary jurisdictions; in some cases, crime rates are lower. According to the Vera Institute, sanctuary counties average 35.5 fewer crimes per 10,000 residents than non-sanctuary counties, challenging arguments that sanctuary policies increase public safety risks.

According to Government Executive, at least six SBA regional offices located in sanctuary jurisdictions—including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, and Seattle—were ordered for relocation under the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act in 2025. The National League of Cities warned this move could disrupt small business support and reduce access to SBA services in urban areas facing economic and labor challenges.

Finstad is a Republican U.S. Representative serving Minnesota’s 1st District since 2022. Before Congress, he was a member of the Minnesota House and served as USDA Rural Development Director under President Trump. Finstad has prioritized small business development, public safety, and rural development. He sponsored the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act as part of his focus on connecting federal support with local law enforcement policy.