Bill Overview
Title: Afghan Adjustment Act
Description: This bill expands eligibility for special immigrant visas to certain Afghan nationals (and accompanying spouse and children) and addresses related issues. The Department of Homeland Security may provide such visas to Afghan nationals who provided qualifying service as a member of the Afghan Air Force or other specified entities and meet eligibility requirements, such as passing a background check. Currently, special immigrant visas for Afghan nationals are generally only available to those who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Afghanistan. Such visas shall also be available to an Afghan national who is a qualifying relative of a veteran or member of the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill also modifies procedures for providing lawful permanent resident status to certain classes of Afghan nationals, such as by (1) providing a streamlined process with specified vetting requirements for certain individuals, including those who provided support to the U.S. government in Afghanistan; and (2) preserving the eligibility of certain battered spouses whose eligibility for such status stemmed from a marriage that has terminated. Furthermore, the Department of State (1) must respond to inquiries from Members of Congress about specific applications from Afghan nationals seeking special immigrant or refugee status; and (2) establish an office in Afghanistan to perform certain tasks, such as issuing visas, if no U.S. embassies are operational in Afghanistan. The President must establish a task force to develop and implement a strategy to assist Afghan nationals who qualify for admission to the United States.
Sponsors: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Target Audience
Population: Afghan nationals eligible for special immigrant visas and adjustments.
Estimated Size: 70000
- The bill targets Afghan nationals who will benefit from the expanded eligibility for special immigrant visas. These include those who served in the Afghan Air Force or other specified roles.
- Relatives of U.S. Armed Forces veterans or members and specific classes of Afghan nationals who have supported the U.S. government in Afghanistan are also mentioned, indicating a targeted group within Afghanistan.
- There are also provisions for battered spouses whose immigration status was linked to a marriage, which has since ended, expanding the scope further within a subset of the Afghan population.
Reasoning
- The Afghan Adjustment Act aims to streamline the process for certain Afghan nationals seeking to immigrate to the U.S., which can significantly impact those directly eligible by improving their overall wellbeing and security.
- The budget limitations indicate not all eligible individuals may immediately benefit, potentially leading to a phased or prioritized approach, which may mean variable impacts across the population.
- Some American communities with significant Afghan populations may experience increased social integration efforts or changes due to an influx of applicants receiving visas more readily.
- A notable portion of the implementation costs may be allocated toward vetting processes, establishing additional offices, and creating the task force, which might constrain direct financial support for individual applicants.
- The estimated eligible population suggests a moderate impact on the broader U.S. populace, focusing mainly on Afghan communities and associated supporters.
Simulated Interviews
Tech Consultant (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad there's an opportunity for more Afghans to join us here and start a new life.
- The process needs to be transparent and efficient; I've seen many friends struggle with the bureaucracy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Community Organizer (Dearborn, MI)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Afghan Adjustment Act is a step in the right direction, easing some of the burdens on displaced families.
- We need more resources on the ground to handle the influx and ensure people are settled safely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired U.S. Army Veteran (New York, NY)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill offers justice to those who stood by us during our missions in Afghanistan.
- I hope the implementation isn't bogged down by political red tape.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Student (Houston, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been waiting for an opportunity like this to secure my future here.
- The complexities of immigration can be overwhelming, a smoother process would be life-changing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is comprehensive but implementation will be key, particularly given the budget constraints.
- Coordination between agencies will be crucial to its success.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
School Teacher (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill can aid families that have been through so much trauma and displacement.
- Providing a stable environment for students is crucial for their success.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
College Graduate (Chicago, IL)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a beacon of hope for me and many others still in limbo.
- I trust that my application will be processed fairly and swiftly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Social Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With this policy, there can be more resources and a systematic process for resettlement.
- The well-being of refugees often depends on how quickly they can start leading normal lives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our community is built on diversity and this can bring even more talents here.
- I hope that these new citizens will have as much opportunity as I did.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Program Director for NGO (Minneapolis, MN)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act can help stabilize many individuals who aim to rebuild their lives here.
- The challenge will be making sure the implementation is not just a political promise.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $245000000 (Low: $195000000, High: $295000000)
Year 3: $240000000 (Low: $190000000, High: $290000000)
Year 5: $230000000 (Low: $185000000, High: $275000000)
Year 10: $220000000 (Low: $180000000, High: $270000000)
Year 100: $220000000 (Low: $180000000, High: $270000000)
Key Considerations
- Security and vetting procedures need to be thorough to address potential security concerns which could affect costs.
- The establishment of an office in Afghanistan depends significantly on the geopolitical situation and may necessitate alternative regional arrangements.
- Cultural and language support services are essential to facilitate integration which can increase initial costs but improve long-term outcomes.