HR4895119th CongressWALLET

Afghan Adjustment Act

Sponsored By: Representative Miller-Meeks

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a pathway to conditional and, in some cases, permanent residence for specified Afghan nationals. It would also expand refugee admissions, set up remote processing and referrals for Afghan allies, and add a new family-based special immigrant visa category.

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  • Families and eligible Afghans in the United States would be able to seek adjustment to conditional lawful permanent resident status. Conditions may be removed no earlier than four years after the admission or parole date or by July 1, 2027, and initial status and work-authorizing documents cannot carry a fee.
  • Afghan allies outside the United States would gain a named referral program and remote refugee processing. The Defense Department and other agencies would use a secure portal for referrals and biometrics, and Afghan allies are designated refugees of special humanitarian concern for at least 10 years.
  • Relatives of U.S. service members would be eligible for a new family-based SIV category capped at 2,500 principal visas per year with carryover and a 10,000 overall ceiling. The bill authorizes virtual interviews, quarterly program reporting, and a 10-year nationwide waiver of certain DHS and State fees.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Conditional green cards for Afghans in U.S.

This bill would let certain Afghans in the U.S. apply for conditional permanent residence. You would need to be an Afghan national (or stateless with last residence in Afghanistan), already in the U.S., and not already a permanent resident. You must have been inspected and admitted by enactment, or paroled between July 30, 2021 and enactment, and not have entered between ports on the southwest border. DHS would pause parole expiration while your case is reviewed and could waive some inadmissibility grounds for humanitarian reasons. Conditions could be removed no earlier than four years after your admission or July 1, 2027 (whichever comes first), and DHS would aim to remove them within 180 days after that date.

New visas for troops' Afghan relatives

This bill would create a special immigrant visa for Afghan parents, brothers, and sisters of U.S. service members or veterans. Up to 2,500 principal visas could be given each year. Unused visas would roll over to the next year. No more than 10,000 total principal visas could be issued before the program ends.

Injured Afghan workers count, deadlines extended

If enacted, time spent in qualifying work would still count if you were wounded or seriously injured and had to stop working. The bill would extend program timing and deadlines. Fiscal years would run through 2029, with deadlines moved to December 31, 2029 and January 31, 2030.

Online referrals and remote processing for Afghans

The bill would require a Defense-led way to apply for Afghan ally status and ask for a refugee referral within 180 days, with a secure online portal, one appeal, and one chance to reopen. State and DHS would use video interviews, remote reviews, and remote signatures; kids under 5 would not need to sign. While no U.S. embassy operates in Afghanistan, State would name an office to do embassy-like services and issue travel documents. DHS could accept biometrics prepared by approved groups or agencies, with identity checks. The bill also clarifies who counts as an Afghan ally, generally based on listed roles or support for at least one year between Dec 22, 2001 and Sep 1, 2021.

Refugee-like benefits for covered Afghans

If enacted, Afghans admitted or adjusted under these rules would get the same resettlement help and benefits as refugees, for the same time. The bill would keep benefits from the 2022 Afghanistan law in place while your case is being considered or after adjustment. It would also exempt people adjusted under this Act from the usual five-year wait for some means‑tested public benefits.

Task force to plan Afghan resettlement

The bill would set up an interagency Task Force within 180 days to plan Afghan resettlement and emergency actions. It would include State, DHS, Defense, HHS, Justice, and intelligence officials. Within 180 days of forming, it would report to Congress with counts, eligibility estimates, processing plans, third‑country capacity, needed resources, and cost estimates.

Lower or waived fees for Afghans

This bill would bar fees for Afghan SIV and status filings, for refugee referral requests under the new ally program, and for initial green card or work card documents issued under this section. It would also let DHS and State waive fees for Afghans applying for certain family-based immigrant visas for 10 years. The fee-waiver power is discretionary, so agencies could decide case by case.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Miller-Meeks

IA • R

Cosponsors

  • Crow

    CO • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Ciscomani

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Auchincloss

    MA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Salazar

    FL • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Houlahan

    PA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Bacon

    NE • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Lofgren

    CA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Nunn (IA)

    IA • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Moulton

    MA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Baumgartner

    WA • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Bera

    CA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Vindman

    VA • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Smucker

    PA • R

    Sponsored 9/16/2025

  • Lawler

    NY • R

    Sponsored 9/16/2025

  • Crenshaw

    TX • R

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Sherrill

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Stanton

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Latimer

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Schweikert

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Kamlager-Dove

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/12/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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