What does Preamble of Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act do?

This bill aims to provide temporary protected status and employment authorization to certain Iranian nationals. The bill addresses Iranian nationals adversely affected by an adjudication pause that occurred in December 2025. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 12, 2026, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act.

What does FINDINGS. of Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act do?

This section outlines findings related to the situation of Iranian nationals in the United States following armed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran beginning in early 2026. The text finds that conditions in Iran meet the criteria of section 244(b)(1)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act due to armed conflict and state-sponsored repression. It notes that the Iranian regime has engaged in widespread atrocities against its own civilian population, including massacres, arrests, and torture. The text distinguishes between the Iranian people and the Iranian government, highlighting the risk of persecution faced by Iranian nationals upon return. A pause on the adjudication of benefit applications for Iranian nationals, implemented in December 2025, has created hardship and legal limbo for those with pending applications. Iranian nationals are experiencing difficulties maintaining lawful status and employment authorization due to the adjudication pause. The text emphasizes the heightened risk of persecution for Iranian nationals who have participated in pro-democracy demonstrations or have connections to the United States. It highlights the contributions of Iranian professionals to the U.S. economy and the negative impact of the adjudication pause on American innovation and competitiveness. The findings conclude that targeted legislative relief is needed to address the convergence of harms faced by Iranian nationals in the U.S.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. “Adjudication pause” refers to any suspension of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' adjudication of benefit applications filed by Iranian nationals initiated on or after December 1, 2025. “Benefit application” includes applications for change of nonimmigrant classification, extension of stay, adjustment of status, employment authorization, or renewal of employment authorization documents. An “eligible individual” is an Iranian national who was lawfully present, filed a benefit application affected by an adjudication pause, and has an expired or expiring nonimmigrant status, authorized period of stay, or employment authorization. “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of Homeland Security.

What does DESIGNATION OF TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR ELIGIBLE IRANIAN of Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act do?

This section designates Iran for temporary protected status (TPS) under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The initial TPS designation is for 18 months, beginning on the Act's enactment date. The Secretary can extend the designation in 6-month increments if an adjudication pause remains or conditions causing it persist. If the Secretary fails to make a determination 60 days before the end of a designation period, the designation automatically extends for 6 months. The designation applies only to eligible Iranian nationals, not all Iranian nationals.

What does ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION. of Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act do?

This section outlines the eligibility requirements for aliens to be granted temporary protected status under this Act. To be eligible, an alien must be an eligible individual, physically present in the United States on the date of enactment, and continuously physically present since December 2, 2025. Applicants cannot be inadmissible under specific sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act, nor can they have been convicted of certain felonies or misdemeanors. Individuals associated with the Iranian government or involved in human rights violations or illicit activities are ineligible. The Secretary must commence adjudication of applications within 30 days of enactment and complete adjudications within 90 days of receipt. The application fee cannot exceed the fee for temporary protected status applications under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Secretary has the authority to waive certain grounds of ineligibility.

What does EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION. of Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act do?

This section establishes a process for authorizing employment of aliens granted temporary protected status (TPS) under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Secretary is required to issue an employment authorization document (EAD) to eligible aliens. An interim EAD, valid for 180 days, will be issued within 30 days of an application for TPS, unless ineligibility is determined. A final EAD will be issued upon granting TPS, valid for the duration of the designation. The automatic extension period for existing EADs subject to an adjudication pause is extended by the duration of the pause plus 180 days. Individuals granted TPS are deemed to have been continuously authorized for employment during any gap period caused by an adjudication pause. Employers will not be liable under section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act for employing individuals during this gap period.

What does PROTECTION OF PENDING APPLICATIONS AND STATUS. of Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act do?

This section states that obtaining temporary protected status (TPS) under this Act will not negatively impact pending or future immigration applications. The filing for, receipt of, or grant of TPS will not be considered a negative factor in adjudicating immigration applications. TPS status or a pending application for it will not constitute abandonment of any pending immigration benefit application. Priority dates, processing dates, and queue positions for pending applications will not be affected by TPS. TPS status will not be used as a basis for initiating removal proceedings or enforcement actions. Periods of TPS or pending applications will not be considered unlawful presence under section 212(a)(9)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Periods during which an application was pending and subject to an adjudication pause will not be considered unlawful presence. The Secretary must establish a process for individuals with TPS to apply for advance parole for travel outside the United States.

What does REPORTING. of Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act do?

This section mandates reporting requirements for the Secretary. Reports must be submitted to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Reporting is required within 90 days of enactment and every 90 days thereafter until all applications under an adjudication pause are resolved. The reports must include the total number of applications subject to the adjudication pause, categorized by application type. The reports must detail the number of adjudicated applications, specifying approvals, denials, and pending cases. The average processing time for adjudicated applications must be included in the reports. The reports must also cover temporary protected status (TPS) applications, including the number filed, approved, and denied during each reporting period and cumulatively since enactment. Denials of TPS applications must be disaggregated by reason, including national security, public safety, and other grounds.

What does RULEMAKING. of Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act do?

This section outlines the rulemaking process for implementing the Act. The Secretary must publish an interim final rule within 30 days of the Act's enactment, which takes effect immediately upon publication. A final rule, developed after public comment on the interim final rule, must be published within 180 days of enactment.

Back to bills

Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act

Last updated: 6/10/2026 · Introduced: 5/12/2026

Author: Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill designates Iran for temporary protected status (TPS) for eligible Iranian nationals, initially for 18 months, to address hardship caused by a recent pause in processing immigration applications.
To be eligible for TPS under this Act, Iranian nationals must have been lawfully present in the U.S. since December 2, 2025, have a pending application affected by the adjudication pause, and meet specific admissibility requirements.
The bill mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security issue employment authorization documents (EADs) to those granted TPS, including an interim EAD within 30 days of application.
Obtaining TPS under this Act will not negatively impact pending or future immigration applications, and periods of TPS or pending applications will not be considered unlawful presence.
The Secretary is required to report regularly to Congress on the number of applications subject to the adjudication pause, the status of those applications, and the number of TPS applications filed, approved, and denied.

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