119-hr4895

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4895 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 4895

 To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Afghan Allies 
 Protection Act of 2009, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 August 5, 2025

 Mrs. Miller-Meeks (for herself, Mr. Crow, Mr. Ciscomani, Mr. 
 Auchincloss, Ms. Salazar, Ms. Houlahan, Mr. Bacon, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. 
 Nunn of Iowa, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Baumgartner, and Mr. Bera) introduced 
 the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the 
 Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Afghan Allies 
 Protection Act of 2009, and for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Afghan Adjustment Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

 In this Act:

    (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
 ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
        (A) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
        (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
 Senate;
            (C) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
            (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
        (E) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
 Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
        (F) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
 Representatives;
        (G) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
 of Representatives;
        (H) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of 
 Representatives;
            (I) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
 Representatives; and
        (J) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House 
 of Representatives.

    (2) Immigration laws.--The term ``immigration laws'' has 
 the meaning given such term in 

section 101

    (a)

    (17) of the 
 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101

    (a)

    (17) ).

    (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
 of Homeland Security.

    (4) Special immigrant status.--The term ``special immigrant 
 status'' means special immigrant status provided under--
        (A) the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 (8 
 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public Law 111-8);
        (B) section 1059 of the National Defense 
 Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (8 U.S.C. 1101 
 note; Public Law 109-163); or
            (C) subparagraph
        (N) of 

section 101

    (a)

    (27) of the 
 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101

    (a)

    (27) ), 
 as added by 

section 7

    (a) .

    (5) Specified application.--The term ``specified 
 application'' means--
        (A) a pending, documentarily complete application 
 for special immigrant status; and
        (B) a case in processing in the United States 
 Refugee Admissions Program for an individual who has 
 received a Priority 1 or Priority 2 referral to such 
 program.

    (6) United states refugee admissions program.--The term 
 ``United States Refugee Admissions Program'' means the program 
 to resettle refugees in the United States pursuant to the 
 authorities provided in sections 101

    (a)

    (42) , 207, and 412 of 
 the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101

    (a)

    (42) , 
 1157, and 1522).

SEC. 3. SUPPORT FOR AFGHAN ALLIES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) Response to Congressional Inquiries.--The Secretary of State 
shall respond to inquiries by Members of Congress regarding the status 
of a specified application submitted by, or on behalf of, a national of 
Afghanistan, including any information that has been provided to the 
applicant, in accordance with 

section 222

    (f) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1202

    (f) ).

    (b) Office in Lieu of Embassy.--During the period in which there is 
no operational United States embassy in Afghanistan, the Secretary of 
State shall designate an appropriate office within the Department of 
State--

    (1) to review specified applications submitted by nationals 
 of Afghanistan residing in Afghanistan, including by conducting 
 any required interviews;

    (2) to issue visas or other travel documents to such 
 nationals, in accordance with the immigration laws;

    (3) to provide services to such nationals, to the greatest 
 extent practicable, that would normally be provided by an 
 embassy; and

    (4) to carry out any other function the Secretary of State 
 considers necessary.

SEC. 4. CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:

    (1) Conditional permanent resident status.--The term 
 ``conditional permanent resident status'' means conditional 
 permanent resident status under 

section 216 and 216A of the 
 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1186a, 1186b), 
 subject to the provisions of this section.

    (2) Eligible individual.--The term ``eligible individual'' 
 means an alien who--
        (A) is present in the United States;
        (B) is a citizen or national of Afghanistan or, in 
 the case of an alien having no nationality, is a person 
 who last habitually resided in Afghanistan;
            (C) has not been granted permanent resident status;
            (D) 
            (i) was inspected and admitted to the United 
 States on or before the date of the enactment of this 
 Act; or
            (ii) was paroled into the United States during the 
 period beginning on July 30, 2021, and ending on the 
 date of the enactment of this Act, provided that--
            (I) such parole has not been terminated by 
 the Secretary upon written notice; and
            (II) the alien did not enter the United 
 States at a location between ports of entry 
 along the southwest land border; and
        (E) is admissible to the United States as an 
 immigrant under the applicable immigration laws, 
 including eligibility for waivers of grounds of 
 inadmissibility to the extent provided by the 
 immigration laws and the terms of this section.

    (b) Conditional Permanent Resident Status for Eligible 
Individuals.--

    (1) Adjustment of status to conditional permanent resident 
 status.--Beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
 the Secretary--
        (A) may adjust the status of each eligible 
 individual to that of an alien lawfully admitted for 
 permanent residence status, subject to the procedures 
 established by the Secretary to determine eligibility 
 for conditional permanent resident status; and
        (B) shall create for each eligible individual who 
 is granted adjustment of status under this section a 
 record of admission to such status as of the date on 
 which the eligible individual was initially inspected 
 and admitted or paroled into the United States, or July 
 30, 2021, whichever is later,
 unless the Secretary determines, on a case-by-case basis, that 
 such individual is inadmissible under any ground of 
 inadmissibility under 

section 212 (other than subsection

    (a)

    (4) ) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182) 
 and is not eligible for a waiver of such grounds of 
 inadmissibility as provided by this Act or by the immigration 
 laws.

    (2) Conditional basis.--An individual who obtains lawful 
 permanent resident status under this section shall be 
 considered, at the time of obtaining the status of an alien 
 lawfully admitted for permanent residence, to have obtained 
 such status on a conditional basis subject to the provisions of 
 this section.
            (c) Conditional Permanent Resident Status Described.--

    (1) Assessment.--
        (A) In general.--Before granting conditional 
 permanent resident status to an eligible individual 
 under subsection

    (b)

    (1) , the Secretary shall conduct an 
 assessment with respect to the eligible individual, 
 which shall be equivalent in rigor to the assessment 
 conducted with respect to refugees admitted to the 
 United States through the United States Refugee 
 Admissions Program, for the purpose of determining 
 whether the eligible individual is inadmissible under 
 any ground of inadmissibility under 

section 212 (other 
 than subsection

    (a)

    (4) ) of the Immigration and 
 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182) and is not eligible for 
 a waiver of such grounds of inadmissibility under 
 paragraph

    (2)
            (C) or the immigration laws.
        (B) Consultation.--In conducting an assessment 
 under subparagraph
        (A) , the Secretary may consult with 
 the head of any other relevant agency and review the 
 holdings of any such agency.

    (2) Removal of conditions.--
        (A) In general.--Not earlier than the date 
 described in subparagraph
        (B) , the Secretary may remove 
 the conditional basis of the status of an individual 
 granted conditional permanent resident status under 
 this section unless the Secretary determines, on a 
 case-by-case basis, that such individual is 
 inadmissible under any ground of inadmissibility under 
 paragraph

    (2) or

    (3) of 

section 212

    (a) of the 
 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182

    (a) ), and 
 is not eligible for a waiver of such grounds of 
 inadmissibility under subparagraph
            (C) or the 
 immigration laws.
        (B) Date described.--The date described in this 
 subparagraph is the earlier of--
            (i) the date that is 4 years after the date 
 on which the individual was admitted or paroled 
 into the United States; or
            (ii) July 1, 2027.
            (C) Waiver.--
            (i) In general.--Except as provided in 
 clause
            (ii) , to determine eligibility for 
 conditional permanent resident status under 
 subsection

    (b) or removal of conditions under 
 this paragraph, the Secretary may waive the 
 application of the grounds of inadmissibility 
 under 

section 212

    (a) of the Immigration and 
 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182

    (a) ) for 
 humanitarian purposes or to ensure family 
 unity.
            (ii) Exceptions.--The Secretary may not 
 waive under clause
            (i) the application of 
 subparagraphs
            (C) through
        (E) and
        (G) through
        (H) of paragraph

    (2) , or paragraph

    (3) , of 
 

section 212

    (a) of the Immigration and 
 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182

    (a) ).
            (iii) Rule of construction.--Nothing in 
 this subparagraph may be construed to expand or 
 limit any other waiver authority applicable 
 under the immigration laws to an individual who 
 is otherwise eligible for adjustment of status.
            (D) Timeline.--Not later than 180 days after the 
 date described in subparagraph
        (B) , the Secretary 
 shall, to the greatest extent practicable, remove 
 conditions as to all individuals granted conditional 
 permanent resident status under this section who are 
 eligible for removal of conditions.

    (3) Treatment of conditional basis of status period for 
 purposes of naturalization.--An individual in conditional 
 permanent resident status under this section shall be 
 considered--
        (A) to have been admitted to the United States as 
 an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; and
        (B) to be present in the United States as an alien 
 lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent 
 residence, provided that, no alien granted conditional 
 permanent resident status shall be naturalized unless 
 the alien's conditions have been removed under this 
 section.
            (d) Termination of Conditional Permanent Resident Status.--
Conditional permanent resident status shall terminate on, as 
applicable--

    (1) the date on which the Secretary removes the conditions 
 pursuant to subsection
            (c) (2) , on which date the alien shall be 
 lawfully admitted for permanent residence without conditions;

    (2) the date on which the Secretary determines that the 
 alien was not an eligible individual under subsection

    (a)

    (2) as 
 of the date that such conditional permanent resident status was 
 granted, on which date of the Secretary's determination the 
 alien shall no longer be an alien lawfully admitted for 
 permanent residence; or

    (3) the date on which the Secretary determines pursuant to 
 subsection
            (c) (2) that the alien is not eligible for removal of 
 conditions, on which date the alien shall no longer be an alien 
 lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

    (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to limit the authority of the Secretary at any time to place 
in removal proceedings under 

section 240 of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229a) any alien who has conditional 
permanent resident status under this section, if the alien is 
deportable under 

section 237 of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1227) under a ground 
of deportability applicable to an alien who has been lawfully admitted 
for permanent residence.

    (f) Parole Expiration Tolled.--The expiration date of a period of 
parole shall not apply to an individual under consideration for 
conditional permanent resident status under this section, until such 
time as the Secretary has determined whether to issue conditional 
permanent resident status.

    (g) Periodic Nonadversarial Meetings.--

    (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
 which an individual is conferred conditional permanent resident 
 status under this section, and periodically thereafter, the 
 Office of Refugee Resettlement shall make available 
 opportunities for the individual to participate in a 
 nonadversarial meeting, during which an official of the Office 
 of Refugee Resettlement (or an agency funded by the Office) 
 shall--
        (A) on request by the individual, assist the 
 individual in a referral or application for applicable 
 benefits administered by the Department of Health and 
 Human Services and completing any applicable paperwork; 
 and
        (B) answer any questions regarding eligibility for 
 other benefits administered by the United States 
 Government.

    (2) Notification of requirements.--Not later than 7 days 
 before the date on which a meeting under paragraph

    (1) is 
 scheduled to occur, the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
 shall provide notice to the individual that includes the date 
 of the scheduled meeting and a description of the process for 
 rescheduling the meeting.

    (3) Conduct of meeting.--The Secretary of Health and Human 
 Services shall implement practices to ensure that--
        (A) meetings under paragraph

    (1) are conducted in a 
 nonadversarial manner; and
        (B) interpretation and translation services are 
 provided to individuals granted conditional permanent 
 resident status under this section who have limited 
 English proficiency.

    (4) Rules of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
 shall be construed--
        (A) to prevent an individual from electing to have 
 counsel present during a meeting under paragraph

    (1) ; 
 or
        (B) in the event that an individual declines to 
 participate in such a meeting, to affect the 
 individual's conditional permanent resident status 
 under this section or eligibility to have conditions 
 removed in accordance with this section.

    (h) Consideration.--Except with respect to an application for 
naturalization and the benefits described in subsection

    (p) , an 
individual in conditional permanent resident status under this section 
shall be considered to be an alien lawfully admitted for permanent 
residence for purposes of the adjudication of an application or 
petition for a benefit or the receipt of a benefit.
            (i) Notification of Requirements.--Not later than 90 days after the 
date on which the status of an individual is adjusted to that of 
conditional permanent resident status under this section, the Secretary 
shall provide notice to such individual with respect to the provisions 
of this section, including subsection
            (c) (1) (relating to the conduct 
of assessments) and subsection

    (g) (relating to periodic nonadversarial 
meetings).

    (j) Application for Naturalization.--The Secretary shall establish 
procedures whereby an individual who would otherwise be eligible to 
apply for naturalization but for having conditional permanent resident 
status, may be considered for naturalization coincident with removal of 
conditions under subsection
            (c) (2) .

    (k) Adjustment of Status Date.--

    (1) In general.--An alien described in paragraph

    (2) shall 
 be regarded as lawfully admitted for permanent residence as of 
 the date the alien was initially inspected and admitted or 
 paroled into the United States, or July 30, 2021, whichever is 
 later.

    (2) Alien described.--An alien described in this paragraph 
 is an alien who--
        (A) is described in subparagraph
        (A) ,
        (B) , or
            (D) of subsection

    (a)

    (2) , and whose status was adjusted to 
 that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent 
 residence on or after July 30, 2021, but on or before 
 the date of the enactment of this Act; or
        (B) is an eligible individual whose status is then 
 adjusted to that of an alien lawfully admitted for 
 permanent residence after the date of the enactment of 
 this Act under any provision of the immigration laws 
 other than this section.
            (l) Parents and Legal Guardians of Unaccompanied Children.--A 
parent or legal guardian of an eligible individual shall be eligible to 
obtain status as an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence on 
a conditional basis if--

    (1) the eligible individual--
        (A) was under 18 years of age on the date on which 
 the eligible individual was granted conditional 
 permanent resident status under this section; and
        (B) was not accompanied by at least one parent or 
 guardian on the date the eligible individual was 
 admitted or paroled into the United States; and

    (2) such parent or legal guardian was admitted or paroled 
 into the United States after the date referred to in paragraph

    (1)
        (B) .
            (m) Guidance.--

    (1) Interim guidance.--
        (A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the 
 date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
 issue guidance implementing this section.
        (B) Publication.--Notwithstanding 

section 553 of 
 title 5, United States Code, guidance issued pursuant 
 to subparagraph
        (A) --
            (i) may be published on the internet 
 website of the Department of Homeland Security; 
 and
            (ii) shall be effective on an interim basis 
 immediately upon such publication but may be 
 subject to change and revision after notice and 
 an opportunity for public comment.

    (2) Final guidance.--
        (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
 date of issuance of guidance under paragraph

    (1) , the 
 Secretary shall finalize the guidance implementing this 
 section.
        (B) Exemption from the administrative procedures 
 act.--Chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code 
 (commonly known as the ``Administrative Procedures 
 Act''), or any other law relating to rulemaking or 
 information collection, shall not apply to the guidance 
 issued under this paragraph.

    (n) Asylum Claims.--

    (1) In general.--With respect to the adjudication of an 
 application for asylum submitted by an eligible individual, 
 

section 2502
            (c) of the Extending Government Funding and 
 Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public 
 Law 117-43) shall not apply.

    (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
 construed to prohibit an eligible individual from seeking or 
 receiving asylum under 

section 208 of the Immigration and 
 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158).

    (o) Prohibition on Fees.--The Secretary may not charge a fee to any 
eligible individual in connection with the initial issuance under this 
section of--

    (1) a document evidencing status as an alien lawfully 
 admitted for permanent residence or conditional permanent 
 resident status; or

    (2) an employment authorization document.

    (p) Eligibility for Benefits.--

    (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
 law--
        (A) an individual described in subsection

    (a) of 
 

section 2502 of the Afghanistan Supplemental 
 Appropriations Act, 2022 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public 
 Law 117-43) shall retain his or her eligibility for the 
 benefits and services described in subsection

    (b) of 
 such section if the individual is under consideration 
 for, or is granted, adjustment of status under this 
 section; and
        (B) such benefits and services shall remain 
 available to the individual to the same extent and for 
 the same periods of time as such benefits and services 
 are otherwise available to refugees who acquire such 
 status.

    (2) Exception from 5-year limited eligibility for means-
 tested public benefits.--

Section 403

    (b)

    (1) of the Personal 
 Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 
 (8 U.S.C. 1613

    (b)

    (1) ) is amended by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
        (F) An alien whose status is adjusted under 
 

section 4 of the Afghan Adjustment Act to that of an 
 alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence or to 
 that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent 
 residence on a conditional basis.''.

    (q) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
to preclude an eligible individual from applying for or receiving any 
immigration benefit to which the individual is otherwise entitled.

    (r) Exemption From Numerical Limitations.--

    (1) In general.--Aliens granted conditional permanent 
 resident status or lawful permanent resident status under this 
 section shall not be subject to the numerical limitations under 
 sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Immigration and Nationality 
 Act (8 U.S.C. 1151, 1152, and 1153).

    (2) Spouse and children beneficiaries.--A spouse or child 
 who is the beneficiary of an immigrant petition under 

section 204 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1154) 
 filed by an alien who has been granted conditional permanent 
 resident status or lawful permanent resident status under this 
 section, seeking classification of the spouse or child under 
 

section 203

    (a)

    (2)
        (A) of that Act (8 U.S.C. 1153

    (a)

    (2)
        (A) ) shall 
 not be subject to the numerical limitations under sections 201, 
 202, and 203 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
 1151, 1152, and 1153).

    (s) Effect on Other Applications.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, in the interest of efficiency, the Secretary may 
pause consideration of any application or request for an immigration 
benefit pending adjudication so as to prioritize consideration of 
adjustment of status to an alien lawfully admitted for permanent 
residence on a conditional basis under this section.

    (t) Authorization for Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, the Secretary, and the Secretary of State such sums as are 
necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 5. REFUGEE PROCESSES FOR CERTAIN AT-RISK AFGHAN ALLIES.

    (a) Definition of Afghan Ally.--

    (1) In general.--In this section, the term ``Afghan ally'' 
 means an alien who is a citizen or national of Afghanistan, or 
 in the case of an alien having no nationality, an alien who 
 last habitually resided in Afghanistan, who--
        (A) was--
            (i) a member of--
            (I) the special operations forces 
 of the Afghanistan National Defense and 
 Security Forces;
            (II) the Afghanistan National Army 
 Special Operations Command;
            (III) the Afghan Air Force; or
            (IV) the Special Mission Wing of 
 Afghanistan;
            (ii) a female member of any other entity of 
 the Afghanistan National Defense and Security 
 Forces, including--
            (I) a cadet or instructor at the 
 Afghanistan National Defense 
 University; and
            (II) a civilian employee of the 
 Ministry of Defense or the Ministry of 
 Interior Affairs;
            (iii) an individual associated with former 
 Afghan military and police human intelligence 
 activities, including operators and Department 
 of Defense sources;
            (iv) an individual associated with former 
 Afghan military counterintelligence, 
 counterterrorism, or counternarcotics;
            (v) an individual associated with the 
 former Afghan Ministry of Defense, Ministry of 
 Interior Affairs, or court system, and who was 
 involved in the investigation, prosecution or 
 detention of combatants or members of the 
 Taliban or criminal networks affiliated with 
 the Taliban;
            (vi) an individual employed in the former 
 justice sector in Afghanistan as a judge, 
 prosecutor, or investigator who was engaged in 
 rule of law activities for which the United 
 States provided funding or training; or
            (vii) a senior military officer, senior 
 enlisted personnel, or civilian official who 
 served on the staff of the former Ministry of 
 Defense or the former Ministry of Interior 
 Affairs of Afghanistan; or
        (B) provided service to an entity or organization 
 described in subparagraph
        (A) for not less than 1 year 
 during the period beginning on December 22, 2001, and 
 ending on September 1, 2021, and did so in support of 
 the United States mission in Afghanistan.

    (2) Inclusions.--For purposes of this section, the 
 Afghanistan National Defense and Security Forces includes 
 members of the security forces under the Ministry of Defense 
 and the Ministry of Interior Affairs of the Islamic Republic of 
 Afghanistan, including the Afghanistan National Army, the 
 Afghan Air Force, the Afghanistan National Police, and any 
 other entity designated by the Secretary of Defense as part of 
 the Afghanistan National Defense and Security Forces during the 
 relevant period of service of the applicant concerned.

    (b) Refugee Status for Afghan Allies.--

    (1) Designation as refugees of special humanitarian 
 concern.--Afghan allies shall be considered refugees of special 
 humanitarian concern under 

section 207 of the Immigration and 
 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157), until the later of 10 years 
 after the date of enactment of this Act or upon determination 
 by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary 
 of Defense and the Secretary, that such designation is no 
 longer in the interest of the United States.

    (2) Third country presence not required.--Notwithstanding 
 

section 101

    (a)

    (42) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
 U.S.C. 1101

    (a)

    (42) ), the Secretary of State and the Secretary 
 shall, to the greatest extent possible, conduct remote refugee 
 processing for an Afghan ally located in Afghanistan.
            (c) Afghan Allies Referral Program.--

    (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
 the enactment of this Act--
        (A) the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with 
 the Secretary of State, shall establish a process by 
 which an individual may apply to the Secretary of 
 Defense for classification as an Afghan ally and 
 request a referral to the United States Refugee 
 Admissions Program; and
        (B) the head of any appropriate department or 
 agency that conducted operations in Afghanistan during 
 the period beginning on December 22, 2001, and ending 
 on September 1, 2021, in consultation with the 
 Secretary of State, may establish a process by which an 
 individual may apply to the head of the appropriate 
 department or agency for classification as an Afghan 
 ally and request a referral to the United States 
 Refugee Admissions Program.

    (2) Application system.--
        (A) In general.--The process established under 
 paragraph

    (1) shall--
            (i) include the development and maintenance 
 of a secure online portal through which 
 applicants may provide information verifying 
 their status as Afghan allies and upload 
 supporting documentation; and
            (ii) allow--
            (I) an applicant to submit his or 
 her own application;
            (II) a designee of an applicant to 
 submit an application on behalf of the 
 applicant; and
            (III) in the case of an applicant 
 who is outside the United States, the 
 submission of an application regardless 
 of where the applicant is located.
        (B) Use by other agencies.--The Secretary of 
 Defense--
            (i) may enter into arrangements with the 
 head of any other appropriate department or 
 agency so as to allow the application system 
 established under subparagraph
        (A) to be used 
 by such department or agency; and
            (ii) shall notify the Secretary of State of 
 any such arrangement.

    (3) Review process.--As soon as practicable after receiving 
 a request for classification and referral described in 
 paragraph

    (1) , the head of the appropriate department or agency 
 shall--
        (A) review--
            (i) the service record of the applicant, if 
 available;
            (ii) if the applicant provides a service 
 record or other supporting documentation, any 
 information that helps verify the service 
 record concerned, including information or an 
 attestation provided by any current or former 
 official of the department or agency who has 
 personal knowledge of the eligibility of the 
 applicant for such classification and referral; 
 and
            (iii) the data holdings of the department 
 or agency and other cooperating interagency 
 partners, including as applicable biographic 
 and biometric records, iris scans, 
 fingerprints, voice biometric information, hand 
 geometry biometrics, other identifiable 
 information, and any other information related 
 to the applicant, including relevant derogatory 
 information; and
        (B)
            (i) in a case in which the head of the 
 department or agency determines that the applicant is 
 an Afghan ally without significant derogatory 
 information, refer the Afghan ally to the United States 
 Refugee Admissions Program as a refugee; and
            (ii) include with such referral--
            (I) any service record concerned, 
 if available;
            (II) if the applicant provides a 
 service record, any information that 
 helps verify the service record 
 concerned; and
            (III) any biometrics for the 
 applicant.

    (4) Review process for denial of request for referral.--
        (A) In general.--In the case of an applicant with 
 respect to whom the head of the appropriate department 
 or agency denies a request for classification and 
 referral based on a determination that the applicant is 
 not an Afghan ally or based on derogatory information--
            (i) the head of the department or agency 
 shall provide the applicant with a written 
 notice of the denial that provides, to the 
 maximum extent practicable, a description of 
 the basis for the denial, including the facts 
 and inferences, or evidentiary gaps, underlying 
 the individual determination; and
            (ii) the applicant shall be provided an 
 opportunity to submit not more than 1 written 
 appeal to the head of the department or agency 
 for each such denial.
        (B) Deadline for appeal.--An appeal under clause
            (ii) of subparagraph
        (A) shall be submitted--
            (i) not more than 120 days after the date 
 on which the applicant concerned receives 
 notice under clause
            (i) of that subparagraph; 
 or
            (ii) on any date thereafter, at the 
 discretion of the head of the appropriate 
 department or agency.
            (C) Request to reopen.--
            (i) In general.--An applicant who receives 
 a denial under subparagraph
        (A) may submit a 
 request to reopen a request for classification 
 and referral under the process established 
 under paragraph

    (1) so that the applicant may 
 provide additional information, clarify 
 existing information, or explain any 
 unfavorable information.
            (ii) Limitation.--After considering 1 such 
 request to reopen from an applicant, the head 
 of the appropriate department or agency may 
 deny subsequent requests to reopen submitted by 
 the same applicant.

    (5) Form and content of referral.--To the extent 
 practicable, the head of the appropriate department or agency 
 shall ensure that referrals made under this subsection--
        (A) conform to requirements established by the 
 Secretary of State for form and content; and
        (B) are complete and include sufficient contact 
 information, supporting documentation, and any other 
 material the Secretary of State or the Secretary 
 consider necessary or helpful in determining whether an 
 applicant is entitled to refugee status.

    (6) Termination.--The application process and referral 
 system under this subsection shall terminate upon the later of 
 1 year before the termination of the designation under 
 subsection

    (b)

    (1) or on the date of a joint determination by 
 the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, in 
 consultation with the Secretary, that such termination is in 
 the national interest of the United States.
            (d) General Provisions.--

    (1) Prohibition on fees.--The Secretary, the Secretary of 
 Defense, the Secretary of State, or the head of any appropriate 
 department or agency referring Afghan allies under this section 
 may not charge any fee in connection with a request for a 
 classification and referral as a refugee under this section.

    (2) Defense personnel.--Any limitation in law with respect 
 to the number of personnel within the Office of the Secretary 
 of Defense, the military departments, or a Defense Agency (as 
 defined in 

section 101

    (a) of title 10, United States Code) 
 shall not apply to personnel employed for the primary purpose 
 of carrying out this section.

    (3) Representation.--An alien applying for admission to the 
 United States under this section may be represented during the 
 application process, including at relevant interviews and 
 examinations, by an attorney or other accredited 
 representative. Such representation shall not be at the expense 
 of the United States Government.

    (4) Protection of aliens.--The Secretary of State, in 
 consultation with the head of any other appropriate Federal 
 agency, shall make a reasonable effort to provide an alien who 
 has been classified as an Afghan ally and has been referred as 
 a refugee under this section protection or to immediately 
 remove such alien from Afghanistan, if possible.

    (5) Other eligibility for immigrant status.--No alien shall 
 be denied the opportunity to apply for admission under this 
 section solely because the alien qualifies as an immediate 
 relative or is eligible for any other immigrant classification.

    (6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
 to be appropriated such sums as necessary for each of fiscal 
 years 2025 through 2034 to carry out this section.

    (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
to inhibit the Secretary of State from accepting refugee referrals from 
any entity.

SEC. 6. IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND OVERSIGHT OF REFUGEE AND SPECIAL 
 IMMIGRANT PROCESSING.

    (a) Acceptance of Fingerprint Cards and Submissions of 
Biometrics.--In addition to the methods authorized under the heading 
relating to the Immigration and Naturalization Service under title I of 
the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-119, 111 
Stat. 2448; 8 U.S.C. 1103 note), and other applicable law, and subject 
to such safeguards as the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary 
of State or the Secretary of Defense, as appropriate, shall prescribe 
to ensure the integrity of the biometric collection (which shall 
include verification of identity by comparison of such fingerprints 
with fingerprints taken by or under the direct supervision of the 
Secretary prior to or at the time of the individual's application for 
admission to the United States), the Secretary may, in the case of any 
application for any benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act 
(8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.), accept fingerprint cards or any other 
submission of biometrics--

    (1) prepared by international or nongovernmental 
 organizations under an appropriate agreement with the Secretary 
 or the Secretary of State;

    (2) prepared by employees or contractors of the Department 
 of Homeland Security or the Department of State; or

    (3) provided by an agency (as defined under 

section 3502 of 
 title 44, United States Code).

    (b) Staffing.--

    (1) Vetting.--The Secretary of State, the Secretary, the 
 Secretary of Defense, and any other agency authorized to carry 
 out the vetting process under this Act, shall each ensure 
 sufficient staffing, and request the resources necessary, to 
 efficiently and adequately carry out the vetting of applicants 
 for--
        (A) referral to the United States Refugee 
 Admissions Program, consistent with the determinations 
 established under 

section 207 of the Immigration and 
 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157); and
        (B) special immigrant status.

    (2) Refugee resettlement.--The Secretary of Health and 
 Human Services shall ensure sufficient staffing to efficiently 
 provide assistance under chapter 2 of title IV of the 
 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1521 et seq.) to 
 refugees resettled in the United States.
            (c) Remote Processing.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
the Secretary of State and the Secretary shall employ remote processing 
capabilities for refugee processing under 

section 207 of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157), including secure 
digital file transfers, videoconferencing and teleconferencing 
capabilities, remote review of applications, remote interviews, remote 
collection of signatures, waiver of the applicant's appearance or 
signature (other than a final appearance and verification by the oath 
of the applicant prior to or at the time of the individual's 
application for admission to the United States), waiver of signature 
for individuals under 5 years old, and any other capability the 
Secretary of State and the Secretary consider appropriate, secure, and 
likely to reduce processing wait times at particular facilities.
            (d) Monthly Arrival Reports.--With respect to monthly reports 
issued by the Secretary of State relating to United States Refugee 
Admissions Program arrivals, the Secretary of State shall report--

    (1) the number of monthly admissions of refugees, 
 disaggregated by priorities; and

    (2) the number of Afghan allies admitted as refugees.

    (e) Interagency Task Force on Afghan Ally Strategy.--

    (1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
 of the enactment of this Act, the President shall establish an 
 Interagency Task Force on Afghan Ally Strategy (referred to in 
 this section as the ``Task Force'')--
        (A) to develop and oversee the implementation of 
 the strategy and contingency plan described in 
 subparagraph
        (A)
            (i) of paragraph

    (4) ; and
        (B) to submit the report, and provide a briefing on 
 the report, as described in subparagraphs
        (A) and
        (B) of paragraph

    (4) .

    (2) Membership.--
        (A) In general.--The Task Force shall include--
            (i) 1 or more representatives from each 
 relevant Federal agency, as designated by the 
 head of the applicable relevant Federal agency; 
 and
            (ii) any other Federal Government official 
 designated by the President.
        (B) Relevant federal agency defined.--In this 
 paragraph, the term ``relevant Federal agency'' means--
            (i) the Department of State;
            (ii) the Department of Homeland Security;
            (iii) the Department of Defense;
            (iv) the Department of Health and Human 
 Services;
            (v) the Department of Justice; and
            (vi) the Office of the Director of National 
 Intelligence.

    (3) Chair.--The Task Force shall be chaired by the 
 Secretary of State.

    (4) Duties.--
        (A) Report.--
            (i) In general.--Not later than 180 days 
 after the date on which the Task Force is 
 established, the Task Force, acting through the 
 chair of the Task Force, shall submit a report 
 to the appropriate committees of Congress that 
 includes--
            (I) a strategy for facilitating the 
 resettlement of nationals of 
 Afghanistan outside the United States 
 who, during the period beginning on 
 October 1, 2001, and ending on 
 September 1, 2021, directly and 
 personally supported the United States 
 mission in Afghanistan, as determined 
 by the Secretary of State in 
 consultation with the Secretary of 
 Defense; and
            (II) a contingency plan for future 
 emergency operations in foreign 
 countries involving foreign nationals 
 who have worked directly with the 
 United States Government, including the 
 Armed Forces of the United States and 
 United States intelligence agencies.
            (ii) Elements.--The report required under 
 clause
            (i) shall include--
            (I) the total number of nationals 
 of Afghanistan who have pending 
 specified applications, disaggregated 
 by--

    (aa) such nationals in 
 Afghanistan and such nationals 
 in a third country;

    (bb) type of specified 
 application; and
            (cc) applications that are 
 documentarily complete and 
 applications that are not 
 documentarily complete;
            (II) an estimate of the number of 
 nationals of Afghanistan who may be 
 eligible for special immigrant status 
 or classification as an Afghan ally;
            (III) with respect to the strategy 
 required under subparagraph
        (A)
            (i) 
            (I) --

    (aa) the estimated number 
 of nationals of Afghanistan 
 described in such subparagraph;

    (bb) a description of the 
 process for safely resettling 
 such nationals of Afghanistan;
            (cc) a plan for processing 
 such nationals of Afghanistan 
 for admission to the United 
 States that--

    (AA) discusses the 
 feasibility of remote 
 processing for such 
 nationals of 
 Afghanistan residing in 
 Afghanistan;

    (BB) includes any 
 strategy for 
 facilitating refugee 
 and consular processing 
 for such nationals of 
 Afghanistan in third 
 countries, and the 
 timelines for such 
 processing;
            (CC) includes a 
 plan for conducting 
 rigorous and efficient 
 vetting of all such 
 nationals of 
 Afghanistan for 
 processing;
            (DD) discusses the 
 availability and 
 capacity of sites in 
 third countries to 
 process applications 
 and conduct any 
 required vetting for 
 such nationals of 
 Afghanistan, including 
 the potential to 
 establish additional 
 sites; and

    (EE) includes a 
 plan for providing 
 updates and necessary 
 information to affected 
 individuals and 
 relevant 
 nongovernmental 
 organizations;
            (dd) a description of 
 considerations, including 
 resource constraints, security 
 concerns, missing or inaccurate 
 information, and diplomatic 
 considerations, that limit the 
 ability of the Secretary of 
 State or the Secretary to 
 increase the number of such 
 nationals of Afghanistan who 
 can be safely processed or 
 resettled;

    (ee) an identification of 
 any resource or additional 
 authority necessary to increase 
 the number of such nationals of 
 Afghanistan who can be 
 processed or resettled;

    (ff) an estimate of the 
 cost to fully implement the 
 strategy; and

    (gg) any other matter the 
 Task Force considers relevant 
 to the implementation of the 
 strategy;
            (IV) with respect to the 
 contingency plan required by clause
            (i) 
            (II) --

    (aa) a description of the 
 standard practices for 
 screening and vetting foreign 
 nationals considered to be 
 eligible for resettlement in 
 the United States, including a 
 strategy for vetting, and 
 maintaining the records of, 
 such foreign nationals who are 
 unable to provide 
 identification documents or 
 biographic details due to 
 emergency circumstances;

    (bb) a strategy for 
 facilitating refugee or 
 consular processing for such 
 foreign nationals in third 
 countries;
            (cc) clear guidance with 
 respect to which Federal agency 
 has the authority and 
 responsibility to coordinate 
 Federal resettlement efforts;
            (dd) a description of any 
 resource or additional 
 authority necessary to 
 coordinate Federal resettlement 
 efforts, including the need for 
 a contingency fund; and

    (ee) any other matter the 
 Task Force considers relevant 
 to the implementation of the 
 contingency plan; and
            (V) a strategy for the efficient 
 processing of all Afghan special 
 immigrant visa applications and 
 appeals, including--

    (aa) a review of current 
 staffing levels and needs 
 across all interagency offices 
 and officials engaged in the 
 special immigrant visa process;

    (bb) an analysis of the 
 expected Chief of Mission 
 approvals and denials of 
 applications in the pipeline in 
 order to project the expected 
 number of visas necessary to 
 provide special immigrant 
 status to all approved 
 applicants under this Act 
 during the several years after 
 the date of the enactment of 
 this Act;
            (cc) an assessment as to 
 whether adequate guidelines 
 exist for reconsidering or 
 reopening applications for 
 special immigrant visas in 
 appropriate circumstances and 
 consistent with applicable 
 laws; and
            (dd) an assessment of the 
 procedures throughout the 
 special immigrant visa 
 application process, including 
 at the Portsmouth Consular 
 Center, and the effectiveness 
 of communication between the 
 Portsmouth Consular Center and 
 applicants, including an 
 identification of any area in 
 which improvements to the 
 efficiency of such procedures 
 and communication may be made.
            (iii) Form.--The report required under 
 clause
            (i) shall be submitted in unclassified 
 form but may include a classified annex.
        (B) Briefing.--Not later than 60 days after 
 submitting the report required by clause
            (i) , the Task 
 Force shall brief the appropriate committees of 
 Congress on the contents of the report.

    (5) Termination.--The Task Force shall remain in effect 
 until the later of--
        (A) the date on which the strategy required under 
 paragraph

    (4)
        (A)
            (i) 
            (I) has been fully implemented;
        (B) the date of a determination by the Secretary of 
 State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense 
 and the Secretary, that a task force is no longer 
 necessary for the implementation of subparagraphs
        (A) and
        (B) of paragraph

    (1) ; or
            (C) the date that is 10 years after the date of the 
 enactment of this Act.

    (f) Improving Consultation With Congress.--

Section 207 of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a) , by amending paragraph

    (4) to read as 
 follows:
 ``

    (4)
        (A) In the determination made under this subsection for each 
fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1992), the President shall 
enumerate, with the respective number of refugees so determined, the 
number of aliens who were granted asylum in the previous year.
 ``
        (B) In making a determination under paragraph

    (1) , the President 
shall consider the information in the most recently published projected 
global resettlement needs report published by the United Nations High 
Commissioner for Refugees.'';

    (2) in subsection

    (e) , by amending paragraph

    (2) to read as 
 follows:
 ``

    (2) A description of the number and allocation of the 
 refugees to be admitted, including the expected allocation by 
 region, and an analysis of the conditions within the countries 
 from which they came.''; and

    (3) by adding at the end the following--
 ``

    (g) Quarterly Reports on Admissions.--Not later than 30 days 
after the last day of each quarter beginning the fourth quarter of 
fiscal year 2025, the President shall submit to the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on the 
Judiciary, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the 
Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 
that includes the following:
 ``

    (1) Refugees admitted.--
 ``
        (A) The number of refugees admitted to the United 
 States during the preceding quarter.
 ``
        (B) The cumulative number of refugees admitted to 
 the United States during the applicable fiscal year, as 
 of the last day of the preceding quarter.
 ``
            (C) The number of refugees expected to be 
 admitted to the United States during the remainder of 
 the applicable fiscal year.
 ``
            (D) The number of refugees from each region 
 admitted to the United States during the preceding 
 quarter.
 ``

    (2) Refugee applicants with pending security checks.--
 ``
        (A) The number of aliens, by nationality, 
 security check, and responsible vetting agency, for 
 whom a National Vetting Center or other security check 
 has been requested during the preceding quarter, and 
 the number of aliens, by nationality, for whom the 
 check was pending beyond 30 days.
 ``
        (B) The number of aliens, by nationality, 
 security check, and responsible vetting agency, for 
 whom a National Vetting Center or other security check 
 has been pending for more than 180 days.
 ``

    (3) Circuit rides.--
 ``
        (A) For the preceding quarter--
 ``
            (i) the number of Refugee Corps officers 
 deployed on circuit rides and the overall 
 number of Refugee Corps officers;
 ``
            (ii) the number of individuals 
 interviewed--
 ``
            (I) on each circuit ride; and
 ``
            (II) at each circuit ride 
 location;
 ``
            (iii) the number of circuit rides; and
 ``
            (iv) for each circuit ride, the duration 
 of the circuit ride.
 ``
        (B) For the subsequent 2 quarters--
 ``
            (i) the number of circuit rides planned; 
 and
 ``
            (ii) the number of individuals planned to 
 be interviewed.
 ``

    (4) Processing.--
 ``
        (A) For refugees admitted to the United States 
 during the preceding quarter, the average number of 
 days between--
 ``
            (i) the date on which an individual 
 referred to the United States Government as a 
 refugee applicant is interviewed by the 
 Secretary of Homeland Security; and
 ``
            (ii) the date on which such individual is 
 admitted to the United States.
 ``
        (B) For refugee applicants interviewed by the 
 Secretary of Homeland Security in the preceding 
 quarter, the approval, denial, recommended approval, 
 recommended denial, and hold rates for the applications 
 for admission of such individuals, disaggregated by 
 nationality.''.

SEC. 7. SUPPORT FOR CERTAIN VULNERABLE AFGHANS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT 
 BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) Special Immigrant Visas for Certain Relatives of Certain 
Members of the Armed Forces.--

    (1) In general.--

Section 101

    (a)

    (27) of the Immigration and 
 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101

    (a)

    (27) ) is amended--
        (A) in subparagraph
            (L) 
            (iii) , by adding a semicolon 
 at the end;
        (B) in subparagraph
            (M) , by striking the period at 
 the end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
        (N) a citizen or national of Afghanistan who is 
 the parent or brother or sister of--
 ``
            (i) a member of the Armed Forces (as 
 defined in 

section 101

    (a) of title 10, United 
 States Code); or
 ``
            (ii) a veteran (as defined in 

section 101 
 of title 38, United States Code).''.

    (2) Numerical limitations.--
        (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph
            (C) , the 
 total number of principal aliens who may be provided 
 special immigrant visas under subparagraph
        (N) of 
 

section 101

    (a)

    (27) of the Immigration and Nationality 
 Act (8 U.S.C. 1101

    (a)

    (27) ), as added by paragraph

    (1) , 
 may not exceed 2,500 each fiscal year.
        (B) Carryover.--If the numerical limitation 
 specified in subparagraph
        (A) is not reached during a 
 given fiscal year, the numerical limitation specified 
 in such subparagraph for the following fiscal year 
 shall be increased by a number equal to the difference 
 between--
            (i) the numerical limitation specified in 
 subparagraph
        (A) for the given fiscal year; and
            (ii) the number of principal aliens 
 provided special immigrant visas under 
 subparagraph
        (N) of 

section 101

    (a)

    (27) of the 
 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
 1101

    (a)

    (27) ) during the given fiscal year.
            (C) Maximum number of visas.--The total number of 
 aliens who may be provided special immigrant visas 
 under subparagraph
        (N) of 

section 101

    (a)

    (27) of the 
 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101

    (a)

    (27) ) 
 shall not exceed 10,000.
            (D) Duration of authority.--The authority to issue 
 visas under subparagraph
        (N) of 

section 101

    (a)

    (27) of 
 the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
 1101

    (a)

    (27) ) shall--
            (i) commence on the date of the enactment 
 of this Act; and
            (ii) terminate on the date on which all 
 such visas are exhausted.

    (b) Certain Afghans Injured or Killed in the Course of 
Employment.--

Section 602

    (b) of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 
(8 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public Law 111-8) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (2)
        (A) --
        (A) by amending clause
            (ii) to read as follows:
 ``
            (ii) 
            (I) was or is employed in Afghanistan 
 on or after October 7, 2001, for not less than 
 1 year--
 ``

    (aa) by, or on behalf of, the 
 United States Government; or
 ``

    (bb) by the International 
 Security Assistance Force (or any 
 successor name for such Force) in a 
 capacity that required the alien--
 ``

    (AA) while traveling off-
 base with United States 
 military personnel stationed at 
 the International Security 
 Assistance Force (or any 
 successor name for such Force), 
 to serve as an interpreter or 
 translator for such United 
 States military personnel; or
 ``

    (BB) to perform 
 activities for the United 
 States military personnel 
 stationed at International 
 Security Assistance Force (or 
 any successor name for such 
 Force); or
 ``
            (II) in the case of an alien who was 
 wounded or seriously injured in connection with 
 employment described in subclause
            (I) , was 
 employed for any period until the date on which 
 such wound or injury occurred, if the wound or 
 injury prevented the alien from continuing such 
 employment;''; and
        (B) in clause
            (iii) , by striking ``clause
            (ii) '' 
 and inserting ``clause
            (ii) 
            (I) '';

    (2) in paragraph

    (13)
        (A)
            (i) , by striking ``subclause
            (I) or
            (II) (bb) of paragraph

    (2)
        (A)
            (ii) '' and inserting ``item

    (aa) or

    (bb) 

    (BB) of paragraph

    (2)
        (A)
            (ii) 
            (I) '';

    (3) in paragraph

    (14)
            (C) , by striking ``paragraph

    (2)
        (A)
            (ii) '' and inserting ``paragraph

    (2)
        (A)
            (ii) 
            (I) ''; and

    (4) in paragraph

    (15) , by striking ``paragraph

    (2)
        (A)
            (ii) '' 
 and inserting ``paragraph

    (2)
        (A)
            (ii) 
            (I) ''.
            (c) Extension of Special Immigrant Visa Program Under Afghan Allies 
Protection Act of 2009.--

Section 602

    (b) of the Afghan Allies Protection 
Act of 2009 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public Law 111-8) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (3)
        (F) --
        (A) in the subparagraph heading, by striking 
 ``Fiscal years 2015 through 2022'' and inserting 
 ``Fiscal years 2015 through 2029'';
        (B) in clause
            (i) , by striking ``December 31, 
 2024'' and inserting ``December 31, 2029''; and
            (C) in clause
            (ii) , by striking ``December 31, 
 2024'' and inserting ``December 31, 2029''; and

    (2) in paragraph

    (13) , in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``January 31, 2024'' and inserting ``January 
 31, 2030''.
            (d) Authorization of Virtual Interviews.--

Section 602

    (b)

    (4) of the 
Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public Law 
111-8;) is amended by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (D) Virtual interviews.--Notwithstanding 

section 222

    (e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
 1202

    (e) ), an application for an immigrant visa under 
 this section may be signed by the applicant through a 
 virtual video meeting before a consular officer and 
 verified by the oath of the applicant administered by 
 the consular officer during a virtual video meeting.''.

    (e) Quarterly Reports.--Paragraph

    (12) of 

section 602

    (b) of the 
Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public Law 
111-8) is amended is amended to read as follows:
 ``

    (12) Quarterly reports.--
 ``
        (A) Report to congress.--Not later than 120 days 
 after the date of enactment of the Afghan Adjustment 
 Act and every 90 days thereafter, the Secretary of 
 State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in 
 consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall 
 submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
 report that includes the following:
 ``
            (i) For the preceding quarter--
 ``
            (I) a description of improvements 
 made to the processing of special 
 immigrant visas and refugee processing 
 for citizens and nationals of 
 Afghanistan;
 ``
            (II) the number of new Afghan 
 referrals to the United States Refugee 
 Admissions Program, disaggregated by 
 referring entity;
 ``
            (III) the number of interviews of 
 Afghans conducted by U.S. Citizenship 
 and Immigration Services, disaggregated 
 by the country in which such interviews 
 took place;
 ``
            (IV) the number of approvals and 
 the number of denials of refugee status 
 requests for Afghans;
 ``
            (V) the number of total 
 admissions to the United States of 
 Afghan refugees;
 ``
            (VI) number of such admissions, 
 disaggregated by whether the refugees 
 come from within, or outside of, 
 Afghanistan;
 ``
            (VII) the average processing time 
 for citizens and nationals of 
 Afghanistan who are applicants;
 ``
            (VIII) the number of such cases 
 processed within such average 
 processing time; and
 ``
            (IX) the number of denials issued 
 with respect to applications by 
 citizens and nationals of Afghanistan.
 ``
            (ii) The number of applications by 
 citizens and nationals of Afghanistan for 
 refugee referrals pending as of the date of 
 submission of the report.
 ``
            (iii) A description of the efficiency 
 improvements made in the process by which 
 applications for special immigrant visas under 
 this subsection are processed, including 
 information described in clauses
            (iii) through
            (viii) of paragraph

    (11)
        (B) .
 ``
        (B) Form of report.--Each report required by 
 subparagraph
        (A) shall be submitted in unclassified 
 form but may contain a classified annex.
 ``
            (C) Public posting.--The Secretary of State shall 
 publish on the website of the Department of State the 
 unclassified portion of each report submitted under 
 subparagraph
        (A) .''.

    (f) General Provisions.--

    (1) Prohibition on fees.--The Secretary, the Secretary of 
 Defense, or the Secretary of State may not charge any fee in 
 connection with an application for, or issuance of, a special 
 immigrant visa or special immigrant status under--
        (A) section 602 of the Afghan Allies Protection Act 
 of 2009 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public Law 111-8);
        (B) section 1059 of the National Defense 
 Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (8 U.S.C. 1101 
 note; Public Law 109-163); or
            (C) subparagraph
        (N) of 

section 101

    (a)

    (27) of the 
 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101

    (a)

    (27) ), 
 as added by subsection

    (a)

    (1) .

    (2) Defense personnel.--Any limitation in law with respect 
 to the number of personnel within the Office of the Secretary 
 of Defense, the military departments, or a Defense Agency (as 
 defined in 

section 101

    (a) of title 10, United States Code) 
 shall not apply to personnel employed for the primary purpose 
 of carrying out this section.

    (3) Protection of aliens.--The Secretary of State, in 
 consultation with the head of any other appropriate Federal 
 agency, shall make a reasonable effort to provide an alien who 
 is seeking status as a special immigrant under subparagraph
        (N) of 

section 101

    (a)

    (27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
 U.S.C. 1101

    (a)

    (27) ), as added by subsection

    (a)

    (1) , protection 
 or to immediately remove such alien from Afghanistan, if 
 possible.

    (4) Resettlement support.--A citizen or national of 
 Afghanistan who is admitted to the United States under this 
 section or an amendment made by this section shall be eligible 
 for resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other 
 benefits available to refugees admitted under 

section 207 of 
 the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157) to the same 
 extent, and for the same periods of time, as such refugees.

SEC. 8. SUPPORT FOR ALLIES SEEKING RESETTLEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES.

 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during the period 
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on the 
date that is 10 years thereafter, the Secretary and the Secretary of 
State may waive any fee or surcharge or exempt individuals from the 
payment of any fee or surcharge collected by the Department of Homeland 
Security and the Department of State, respectively, in connection with 
a petition or application for, or issuance of, an immigrant visa to a 
national of Afghanistan under 

section 201

    (b)

    (2)
        (A)
            (i) or 203

    (a) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151

    (b)

    (2)
        (A)
            (i) and 
1153

    (a) ), respectively.

SEC. 9. REPORTING.

    (a) Quarterly Reports.--Beginning on January 1, 2028, not less 
frequently than quarterly, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of 
the House of Representatives a report that includes, for the preceding 
quarter--

    (1) the number of individuals granted conditional permanent 
 resident status under 

section 4, disaggregated by the number of 
 such individuals for whom conditions have been removed;

    (2) the number of individuals granted conditional permanent 
 resident status under 

section 4 who have been determined to be 
 ineligible for removal of conditions (and the reasons for such 
 determination); and

    (3) the number of individuals granted conditional permanent 
 resident status under 

section 4 for whom no such determination 
 has been made (and the reasons for the lack of such 
 determination).

    (b) Annual Reports.--Not less frequently than annually, the 
Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes for the 
preceding year, with respect to individuals granted conditional 
permanent resident status under 

section 4--

    (1) the number of such individuals who are placed in 
 removal proceedings under 

section 240 of the Immigration and 
 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229a) charged with a ground of 
 deportability under subsection

    (a)

    (2) of 

section 237 of that 
 Act (8 U.S.C. 1227), disaggregated by each applicable ground 
 under that subsection;

    (2) the number of such individuals who are placed in 
 removal proceedings under 

section 240 of the Immigration and 
 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229a) charged with a ground of 
 deportability under subsection

    (a)

    (3) of 

section 237 of that 
 Act (8 U.S.C. 1227), disaggregated by each applicable ground 
 under that subsection;

    (3) the number of final orders of removal issued pursuant 
 to proceedings described in paragraphs

    (1) and

    (2) , 
 disaggregated by each applicable ground of deportability;

    (4) the number of such individuals for whom such 
 proceedings are pending, disaggregated by each applicable 
 ground of deportability; and

    (5) a review of the available options for removal from the 
 United States, including any changes in the feasibility of such 
 options during the preceding year.

SEC. 10. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

 Except as expressly described in this Act or an amendment made by 
this Act, nothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act may be 
construed to modify, expand, or limit any law or authority to process 
or admit refugees under 

section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1157) or applicants for an immigrant visa under the 
immigration laws.
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