Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act

This bill helps Afghan allies who supported the United States by speeding up how they can come to the U.S., get lawful status, and receive support. It lets the government process refugee cases remotely, even for people still in Afghanistan, and sets up a secure portal to apply and upload proof of service. Afghan allies are treated as a priority group for refugee resettlement, and agencies must add staff and accept biometrics collected by trusted partners to cut wait times. A new interagency task force will coordinate strategy and report on progress. Fees for certain visas can be waived for the next 10 years, and there are regular reports to track admissions and processing times .

For Afghans already here, it creates a “conditional” green card with vetting like the refugee process. Conditions can be removed after four years in the U.S. or by July 1, 2027, whichever comes first, unless serious inadmissibility issues are found. While conditions are in place, people are generally treated like green card holders for most benefits, can get work permits at no cost, and receive the same resettlement assistance as refugees. Parents or legal guardians of unaccompanied Afghan children may also qualify. ORR must offer friendly, nonadversarial meetings to help people understand and access benefits, and the expiration of parole is paused while a conditional status decision is pending. Naturalization can be considered when conditions are removed. The State Department must also keep services running through a designated office while there is no U.S. embassy in Afghanistan. There is a new, limited special immigrant visa option for certain Afghan parents and siblings of U.S. service members and veterans, with annual caps and a total maximum. Regular reporting increases transparency across refugee and special immigrant processing .

• Who is affected: Afghan allies and their families, including some parents or guardians of unaccompanied children; certain Afghan parents and siblings of U.S. service members and veterans; U.S. agencies that process refugee and visa cases .
• What changes:
  • Priority refugee status and remote processing for Afghan allies; secure application portal; added staffing; broader acceptance of biometrics; fee waivers; and a coordinating task force with reports .
  • Conditional green cards with path to full permanent residence; free initial proof-of-status and work permits; resettlement help like refugees; support meetings through ORR; parole expiration paused during review .
  • New limited special immigrant visas for certain family members of U.S. service members and veterans, with yearly and total caps .
• When: Many changes take effect upon enactment; key dates include removing conditions after four years in the U.S. or by July 1, 2027 (whichever comes first), and fee waivers available for 10 years .