Afghan Allies Protection Amendments Act of 2018

To amend the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Afghan Allies Protection Amendments Act of 2018 2. Special immigrant visas for Afghan allies (a) In general Section 602(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 for the first time submitting a petition (b) Numerical limitations Section 602(b)(3) of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 (1) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: (A) Fiscal year 2019 (i) In general In addition to any unused balance under subparagraph (F), for fiscal year 2019, not more than 4,000 principal aliens may be granted special immigrant status under this subsection. (ii) Period of employment For purposes of this subparagraph, the period of employment referred to in paragraph (2)(A)(ii) shall end not later than December 31, 2021. (iii) Application For purposes of this subparagraph, not later than December 31, 2021, a principal alien seeking special immigrant status under this subsection shall submit an application to the Chief of Mission. . (2) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following: (C) Carry forward If the numerical limitation described in subparagraph (A)(i) is not reached for fiscal year 2019, the numerical limitation for each subsequent fiscal year shall be established at a number equal to the difference between— (i) the numerical limitation described in subparagraph (A)(i); and (ii) the number of principal aliens granted special immigrant status under this subsection during each fiscal year beginning in fiscal year 2019. ; (3) in subparagraph (D), by striking notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (C), (4) in subparagraph (F)— (A) in clause (i), by striking 2020 2020; (B) in clause (ii), by striking 2020 2020; (C) by redesignating clauses (i) through (iii) as subclauses (I) through (III), respectively, and indenting appropriately; (D) in the matter preceding subclause (I) (as so redesignated), in the second sentence, by striking For purposes (ii) Requirements For purposes ; (E) in the matter preceding clause (ii) (as so designated)— (i) by striking exhausted,, exhausted, (ii) by striking In addition (i) In general In addition ; and (F) by adding at the end the following: (iii) Unused visas Any unused balance under this subparagraph shall be added to the number under subparagraph (A)(i) for use in fiscal year 2019. . (c) Conversion of petitions Section 2 of Public Law 110–242 8 U.S.C. 1101 (b) Duration The authority under subsection (a) shall expire on the date on which the numerical limitation specified under section 1244 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 ( Public Law 110–181 8 U.S.C. 1157 . (d) Report reform Section 602 of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 (1) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking paragraph (10); (B) by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (16) as paragraphs (10) through (15), respectively; (C) in paragraph (11)(A) (as so redesignated), by striking the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 this Act (D) in paragraph (12) (as so redesignated), by striking paragraph (12)(B) paragraph (11)(B) (E) in paragraph (13) (as so redesignated), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking a report to the House of Representatives a report to the appropriate committees of Congress (2) by striking subsection (c); and (3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).

Summary: Afghan Allies Protection Amendments Act of 2018 This bill amends the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 to authorize, in addition to any unused visas in prior fiscal years, up to 4,000 visas in FY2019 for the Afghan special immigrant visa program. That program provides special immigrant visa status for Afghans (and certain family members) who are threatened because of their work as translators, interpreters, or support staff for the U.S. government or its Armed Forces in Afghanistan. The bill also requires that the period of employment for Afghans eligible for the special visa end by December 31, 2021, and that Afghans seeking special immigrant status must apply to the Chief of Mission in Afghanistan by that same date.