PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 28, 2021
Improving Access for Afghan Refugees Act
This bill requires the Department of State to provide priority refugee status to eligible habitual residents of Afghanistan.
To be eligible for such priority status, a habitual resident of Afghanistan must also be a national of Afghanistan or stateless. Such an individual shall receive priority refugee status if the individual (1) has suffered persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution and worked in a specified field that makes the individual a target of persecution on account of race, religion, or other characteristics; (2) was employed for at least one year in Afghanistan by U.S.-based media or nongovernmental entities or an entity that received a contract or grant from the U.S. government; or (3) is the beneficiary of a visa petition sponsored by a relative who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The State Department may also provide priority status to other groups of individuals who are nationals and residents of Afghanistan.
Certain annual numerical limits on refugee admissions shall not apply to individuals who receive priority status under this bill.
For refugee applications under this bill, the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security shall ensure that all steps in the approval process in the U.S. government's control are completed within six months of an application's submission, with exceptions for cases that need more time to address national security concerns.
People & committees
Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4146)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Jan 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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