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Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act

USA119th CongressS-2679| Senate 
| Updated: 8/1/2025
Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (7)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Bill Cassidy (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Lindsey Graham (Republican)Mike Rounds (Republican)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act," establishes several mechanisms to support Afghan nationals who assisted the United States mission in Afghanistan. For Afghans currently in the United States, it creates a pathway to conditional permanent resident status . To be eligible, individuals must be Afghan citizens or nationals present in the U.S., admitted or paroled between July 30, 2021, and the bill's enactment date (excluding those who entered at the southwest land border), and admissible under immigration laws. The Secretary of Homeland Security will conduct an assessment, equivalent in rigor to refugee vetting, before granting conditional status. This status can be removed after four years or by July 1, 2027, following another assessment, unless the individual is found inadmissible on certain grounds. The bill allows for waivers of some inadmissibility grounds for humanitarian purposes or family unity, but not for serious criminal or security-related offenses. Individuals granted this status will be considered lawfully admitted for permanent residence for most benefits and are exempt from numerical immigration limitations. For Afghan allies outside the United States, the bill designates specific categories of at-risk individuals, such as members of Afghan special operations forces, female security personnel, and those involved in intelligence or justice sectors supporting the U.S. mission, as refugees of special humanitarian concern for at least 10 years. It mandates the establishment of an Afghan Allies Referral Program by the Department of Defense and other agencies, featuring a secure online portal for applications and an appeal process for denials. Remote refugee processing, including interviews and secure digital transfers, is also required for those in Afghanistan. The legislation also creates a new Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) category for parents or siblings of U.S. Armed Forces members or veterans, with a cap of 2,500 visas annually and a total limit of 10,000. It prohibits fees for initial conditional permanent resident status, employment authorization documents, and SIV applications. Furthermore, it ensures that Afghans admitted under these provisions are eligible for resettlement assistance and other benefits available to refugees. To enhance efficiency and oversight, the bill allows for the acceptance of biometrics collected by international or non-governmental organizations and requires sufficient staffing for vetting and resettlement services. It mandates monthly and quarterly reports to Congress on refugee admissions, processing times, and the status of conditional permanent residents. An Interagency Task Force on Afghan Ally Strategy will be established to develop a comprehensive resettlement strategy for Afghan nationals who supported the U.S. mission and a contingency plan for future emergency evacuations involving foreign nationals.
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Timeline
Aug 1, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Aug 1, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • August 1, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • August 1, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4895: Afghan Adjustment Act

Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act

USA119th CongressS-2679| Senate 
| Updated: 8/1/2025
This bill, titled the "Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act," establishes several mechanisms to support Afghan nationals who assisted the United States mission in Afghanistan. For Afghans currently in the United States, it creates a pathway to conditional permanent resident status . To be eligible, individuals must be Afghan citizens or nationals present in the U.S., admitted or paroled between July 30, 2021, and the bill's enactment date (excluding those who entered at the southwest land border), and admissible under immigration laws. The Secretary of Homeland Security will conduct an assessment, equivalent in rigor to refugee vetting, before granting conditional status. This status can be removed after four years or by July 1, 2027, following another assessment, unless the individual is found inadmissible on certain grounds. The bill allows for waivers of some inadmissibility grounds for humanitarian purposes or family unity, but not for serious criminal or security-related offenses. Individuals granted this status will be considered lawfully admitted for permanent residence for most benefits and are exempt from numerical immigration limitations. For Afghan allies outside the United States, the bill designates specific categories of at-risk individuals, such as members of Afghan special operations forces, female security personnel, and those involved in intelligence or justice sectors supporting the U.S. mission, as refugees of special humanitarian concern for at least 10 years. It mandates the establishment of an Afghan Allies Referral Program by the Department of Defense and other agencies, featuring a secure online portal for applications and an appeal process for denials. Remote refugee processing, including interviews and secure digital transfers, is also required for those in Afghanistan. The legislation also creates a new Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) category for parents or siblings of U.S. Armed Forces members or veterans, with a cap of 2,500 visas annually and a total limit of 10,000. It prohibits fees for initial conditional permanent resident status, employment authorization documents, and SIV applications. Furthermore, it ensures that Afghans admitted under these provisions are eligible for resettlement assistance and other benefits available to refugees. To enhance efficiency and oversight, the bill allows for the acceptance of biometrics collected by international or non-governmental organizations and requires sufficient staffing for vetting and resettlement services. It mandates monthly and quarterly reports to Congress on refugee admissions, processing times, and the status of conditional permanent residents. An Interagency Task Force on Afghan Ally Strategy will be established to develop a comprehensive resettlement strategy for Afghan nationals who supported the U.S. mission and a contingency plan for future emergency evacuations involving foreign nationals.
View Full Text

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Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Aug 1, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Aug 1, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • August 1, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • August 1, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (7)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Bill Cassidy (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Lindsey Graham (Republican)Mike Rounds (Republican)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4895: Afghan Adjustment Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted