Afghan Adjustment Act

This proposal helps Afghan allies and their families find safety and a stable future in the United States. It creates a path to a “conditional” green card that can become permanent after extra security checks, and it modernizes refugee and special immigrant visa (SIV) processing with online systems and remote interviews. It also lowers costs by waiving some fees and keeps access to resettlement support.

• Who is affected: Afghans who directly supported the U.S. mission and their families; some parents or siblings of U.S. service members and veterans; and unaccompanied Afghan children and their parents or guardians.
• What changes: Eligible people in the U.S. can receive a conditional green card after security checks; the conditions can be removed no earlier than four years after arrival, or by July 1, 2027. While under review, their parole does not expire, and the government cannot charge for the first green card or work permit card.
• How it speeds processing: Applicants can use an online portal and remote processing, even from inside Afghanistan; agencies may accept fingerprints and other biometrics from trusted groups; and virtual visa interviews are allowed.
• New visa options: Creates a special immigrant visa for Afghan parents and siblings of U.S. troops and veterans (up to 2,500 a year, 10,000 total) and extends the Afghan SIV program to December 31, 2029.
• Costs, support, and timing: For 10 years, certain immigrant visa fees for Afghans can be waived, and there are no fees for refugee referrals; people keep refugee-like benefits and get nonadversarial check-ins to connect to services. Agencies must issue guidance within 120 days, a new task force will coordinate resettlement, and Congress receives regular updates starting in 2028.