WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), senior member and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the committee’s current ranking member, Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced legislation to help Afghan nationals who assisted American forces in Afghanistan.

The bill, the Ensuring American Security and Protecting Afghan Allies Act, would provide an eventual pathway to U.S. citizenship for Afghans who evacuated to America during the Biden administration’s botched withdrawal in August 2021. Afghan evacuees who are currently ineligible for another immigration status would be eligible for a four-year, conditional resident status with continued vetting. Only those who successfully complete the vetting process could become green card holders. The legislation also outlines a means for referring U.S. allies for priority refugee status.

“The Biden Administration’s disastrous departure from Afghanistan caused a chaotic migration from the region, and our government?repeatedly failed to thoroughly evaluate?evacuees arriving in the United States.?This bill restores order to the system by ensuring Afghan evacuees are able to assimilate while preserving American security and better supporting those who provided direct support to the United States military,” Grassley said.

“President Biden’s ill-planned withdrawal from Afghanistan had disastrous consequences and put Afghan allies who had helped American forces in grave danger. This legislation will allow those who made it to the United States to begin new lives and secure their long-term stability,” Cotton said. 

“It is imperative that America assist those Afghans who supported our country and that fled the oppressive regime of the Taliban. We must let the world know that we do not abandon those who aid America.? This bill works toward that goal while ensuring strong vetting to protect America’s own security,” Graham said.

“I’ve heard from countless North Carolina veterans who are forever indebted to the brave Afghans who risked their own lives to protect them and advance our common mission in Afghanistan. We owe it to our Afghan allies to provide them with a fair and efficient refugee process that recognizes the sacrifices they made alongside America’s finest,” Tillis said.

The Ensuring American Security and Protecting Afghan Allies Act would:

  • Establish a more effective system to screen Afghan evacuees who are in the U.S. by offering a four-year, conditional resident status during the screening process;
  • Allow additional time for continued vetting and check-ins with Office of Refugee Resettlement staff;
  • Set up a more efficient, secure process at the DOD for military servicemen and veterans to refer America’s Afghan allies still outside of the U.S. for priority refugee status; and 
  • Rein in the administration’s abuse of the parole system, which it has used to bring un-vetted individuals into the country. This language mirrors Grassley’s previously introduced Immigration Parole Reform Act of 2023.

Bill text is available HERE.

Background: 

Grassley has worked to bring transparency to the issue of Afghan evacuees being “flagged” for security concerns and the Biden administration’s failures to use available vetting tools. He amplified his concerns about the deficient vetting of Afghan parolees after the Department of Defense watchdog issued a corresponding report last year.  

Following the release of a Department of Homeland Security watchdog report last September, Grassley renewed his calls on the Biden administration to respond to congressional oversight requests regarding the vetting and resettlement process for Afghan evacuees. 

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