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: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Target Audience
Population: Afghan nationals and their families eligible for special immigrant status
Estimated Size: 1000
- Afghans who worked with the U.S. government, military, or other specified entities are directly impacted by the bill.
- The bill also affects the families of these Afghan nationals, including spouses and children, potentially allowing them to immigrate to the U.S.
- Afghans who are qualifying relatives of U.S. Armed Forces members or veterans are included, broadening the scope of those impacted by the implementation of this bill.
- The bill enables certain Afghan nationals, specifically those who have suffered domestic abuse, to retain eligibility for permanent residency even if their marriage ends.
- In March 2022, it was estimated that around 76,000 Afghans had been evacuated to the U.S.
- According to the United Nations, there are approximately 2.6 million registered Afghan refugees globally, which gives a sense of the potential scope of the need for special visas.
- The global Afghan diaspora and population impacted extends beyond those directly employed by U.S. interests, potentially impacting thousands of Afghans still in Afghanistan.
Reasoning
- Given the limited budget and the large scope of need, the policy will likely prioritize those most directly connected to U.S. interests, such as those who worked with U.S. agencies or are family members of U.S. military personnel.
- The size of the eligible Afghan population is large in comparison to the budget, so while significant individual impacts can occur, only a fraction of the total population can be positively impacted.
- Considering the geographical distribution, participants may be spread across the U.S., particularly near military bases or in neighborhoods with significant immigrant populations.
Simulated Interviews
Social Worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am relieved that my colleagues in Afghanistan may have a chance to come to the U.S.
- The policy could have been more inclusive, considering the number of Afghans needing help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Software Engineer (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry for my family's safety, this bill could finally help them join me.
- Implementation will be key, as there are many bureaucratic hurdles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Veteran Affairs Coordinator (Dallas, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is essential for the interpreters who risked their lives.
- I hope it expands further to cover all who helped the U.S.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Student (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could help Afghans like me stay connected to their roots.
- Support for educational opportunities needs to be emphasized.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Tech Consultant (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Excited about more structured pathways for refugees.
- Concerned about sufficient funding and resources for all applicants.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired US Army (Denver, CO)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This can help fulfill a moral obligation to our Afghan allies.
- We need to ensure fair and swift processing for these visas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
NGO Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act helps protect vulnerable Afghan women and children.
- I hope the implementation includes robust support services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
University Professor (Austin, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a positive step for diplomatic relations and fulfills obligations.
- I'm cautious about the long-term commitment and impact assessment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Restaurant Manager (Seattle, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see how hard my employees' lives are, and this act could really help.
- Immigration processes need to be faster and fairer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Immigration Attorney (Miami, FL)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The act provides much-needed legal pathways for my clients.
- Challenges remain in navigating complex immigration laws.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $45000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $55000000)
Year 3: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $50000000)
Year 5: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $45000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The availability of funding for setting up and maintaining an office in Afghanistan dedicated to visa processing.
- Potential logistical and staffing challenges in vetting and processing a large number of visa applications.
- Long-term societal integration of Afghan nationals and their economic contributions to local communities.
- Legal and regulatory compliance concerning the streamlined processes and vetting requirements.
- Potential pushback from constituents or political opposition considering immigration impacts.