What does Preamble of Afghan Adjustment Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of Afghan Adjustment Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Afghan Adjustment Act.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Afghan Adjustment Act do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. “Appropriate committees of Congress” refers to specific committees in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. “Immigration laws” is defined by reference to section 101(a)(17) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. “Secretary” means the Secretary of Homeland Security. “Special immigrant status” includes status provided under the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, section 1059 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, and subparagraph (N) of section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. “Specified application” includes pending, documentarily complete applications for special immigrant status and cases in the United States Refugee Admissions Program. “United States Refugee Admissions Program” refers to the program for resettling refugees in the United States, as authorized by specific sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

What does SUPPORT FOR AFGHAN ALLIES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES. of Afghan Adjustment Act do?

This section addresses support for Afghan allies outside the United States. The Secretary of State must respond to Congressional inquiries regarding the status of Afghan national applications, referencing section 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. During the absence of a U.S. embassy in Afghanistan, the Secretary of State must designate an office within the Department of State. This designated office will review Afghan national applications, conduct interviews, and issue visas or travel documents. The office is also responsible for providing services to Afghan nationals to the greatest extent practicable, mirroring those typically provided by an embassy. The Secretary of State can assign other functions to this office as deemed necessary.

What does CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS. of Afghan Adjustment Act do?

This section establishes conditional permanent resident status for eligible individuals present in the United States who are citizens or nationals of Afghanistan, or last habitually resided in Afghanistan. Eligible individuals must have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States between specific dates (before the Act's enactment) and not have had their parole terminated. The Secretary may adjust the status of eligible individuals to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, subject to procedures to determine eligibility. The Secretary shall create a record of admission to conditional permanent resident status as of the date of initial inspection/parole or July 30, 2021, unless inadmissibility is determined. Before granting conditional permanent resident status, the Secretary must conduct an assessment equivalent to that for refugees. The conditional basis of status may be removed not earlier than four years after admission/parole or July 1, 2027, unless inadmissibility is determined. The Secretary may waive grounds of inadmissibility for humanitarian purposes or to ensure family unity, with certain exceptions. The Office of Refugee Resettlement shall offer nonadversarial meetings to eligible individuals to assist with referrals and answer questions about benefits. The Secretary may not charge fees for the initial issuance of documents evidencing conditional or permanent resident status or an employment authorization document. Aliens granted conditional or lawful permanent resident status under this section are exempt from numerical limitations under certain immigration sections.

What does REFUGEE PROCESSES FOR CERTAIN AT-RISK AFGHAN ALLIES. of Afghan Adjustment Act do?

This section establishes processes for classifying and referring Afghan allies to the United States Refugee Admissions Program. An 'Afghan ally' is defined as an Afghan citizen or national, or someone who last habitually resided in Afghanistan, who meets specific criteria related to service in Afghan security forces or related roles. Afghan allies are considered refugees of special humanitarian concern for up to 10 years or until the Secretary of State determines otherwise. The Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense are directed to conduct remote refugee processing for Afghan allies in Afghanistan to the greatest extent possible. The Secretaries of Defense and State must establish processes for individuals to apply for classification as an Afghan ally and request referral to the Refugee Admissions Program within 180 days of enactment. The application process includes a secure online portal and allows for submissions by applicants or their designees. Departments and agencies reviewing applications must consider service records, supporting documentation, and relevant data holdings, including biometric information. Applicants denied referral have the right to appeal and submit a request to reopen their case. Fees are prohibited in connection with requests for classification and referral. The application process and referral system will terminate one year before the refugee designation ends or upon a joint determination by the Secretaries of State and Defense.

What does IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND OVERSIGHT OF REFUGEE AND SPECIAL of Afghan Adjustment Act do?

This section addresses improving efficiency and oversight of refugee and special immigrant processing. It allows for the acceptance of fingerprint cards and biometrics prepared by international or nongovernmental organizations, Department of Homeland Security employees/contractors, or federal agencies. The Secretary of State and the Secretary are directed to employ remote processing capabilities for refugee processing, including secure digital file transfers and videoconferencing. The Secretary of State must report monthly arrival data, including the number of refugees admitted and the number of Afghan allies admitted. An Interagency Task Force on Afghan Ally Strategy is established to develop and oversee a strategy for resettling Afghan allies and a contingency plan for future emergency operations. The Task Force must submit a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment, detailing a strategy for facilitating resettlement of Afghan allies and a contingency plan. The President must submit quarterly reports to Congress on refugee admissions, pending security checks, circuit rides, and processing times.

What does SUPPORT FOR CERTAIN VULNERABLE AFGHANS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT of Afghan Adjustment Act do?

This section amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to create a new category of special immigrant visas for Afghan citizens or nationals who are parents, siblings, or children of U.S. Armed Forces members or veterans. The number of visas authorized under this new category is initially capped at 2,500 per fiscal year, with a carryover provision for unused visas and a maximum total of 10,000 visas. The authority to issue these visas begins upon enactment and terminates when all visas are exhausted. The section amends the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 to expand eligibility for certain Afghans injured or killed while employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government or the International Security Assistance Force. The Act extends the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 through fiscal year 2029. It allows for virtual interviews for applications under the Afghan Allies Protection Act. It mandates quarterly reports to Congress regarding the processing of special immigrant visas and refugee processing for Afghan citizens and nationals. Fees are prohibited for applications or issuance of special immigrant visas under specified acts. The Secretary of State is directed to provide protection or removal assistance to Afghan aliens seeking special immigrant status.

What does SUPPORT FOR ALLIES SEEKING RESETTLEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES. of Afghan Adjustment Act do?

This section allows the Secretary and the Secretary of State to waive fees or exempt individuals from fees related to immigrant visas. The waivers apply to nationals of Afghanistan seeking visas under sections 201(b)(2)(A)(i) or 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The waiver period begins on the date of enactment of this Act and ends 10 years thereafter. The waivers apply to petitions, applications, and the issuance of immigrant visas.

What does REPORTING. of Afghan Adjustment Act do?

This section mandates reporting requirements for the Secretary regarding individuals granted conditional permanent resident status under section 4. Quarterly reports, beginning January 1, 2028, must be submitted to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees. These quarterly reports detail the number of individuals granted conditional permanent resident status, those for whom conditions were removed, those deemed ineligible for removal of conditions, and those awaiting determination. Annual reports, in consultation with the Attorney General, must be submitted to the appropriate committees of Congress. Annual reports include data on individuals placed in removal proceedings, final orders of removal, pending proceedings, and a review of removal options.

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Afghan Adjustment Act

Last updated: 8/5/2025 · Introduced: 8/5/2025

Author: Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill establishes conditional permanent resident status for eligible Afghan citizens or nationals who were present in the United States before a specified date, streamlining their path to lawful permanent residence.
It creates a process for classifying and referring Afghan allies to the United States Refugee Admissions Program, including a secure online portal and appeal rights for denied applicants.
The bill expands special immigrant visa eligibility to include parents, siblings, and children of U.S. Armed Forces members or veterans, authorizing up to 10,000 visas.
It directs the Department of State to designate an office to review Afghan national applications and provide support services outside of Afghanistan, particularly during periods when a U.S. embassy is absent.
The bill mandates reporting requirements to Congress on various aspects of Afghan refugee and special immigrant processing, including admissions data, pending cases, and removal proceedings.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 9 more.

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