SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Afghan Adjustment 
Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise specifically 
provided, any term used in this Act that is used in the 
immigration laws shall have the meaning given the term 
in the immigration laws. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this Act: 
(1) IMMIGRATION LAWS.—The term ‘‘immigra-
tion laws’’ has the meaning given the term in section 
101(a)(17) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
(8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(17)). 
(2) SPECIAL
IMMIGRANT
STATUS.—The term 
‘‘special immigrant status’’ means special immigrant 
status provided under— 
(A) the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 
2009 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public Law 111–8); 
or 
(B) section 1059 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (8 
U.S.C. 1101 note; Public Law 109–163). 
(3) SPECIFIED APPLICATION.—The term ‘‘spec-
ified application’’ means— 
(A) an application for special immigrant 
status; 
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(B) an application to seek admission to the 
United States through the United States Ref-
ugee Admission Program for an individual who 
has received a Priority 1 or Priority 2 referral 
to such program; and 
(C) an application for a special immigrant 
visa under section 7 or an amendment made by 
that section. 
(4) UNITED
STATES
REFUGEE
ADMISSIONS 
PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘United States Refugee Ad-
missions Program’’ means the program to resettle 
refugees in the United States pursuant to the au-
thorities provided in sections 101(a)(42), 207, and 
412 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
U.S.C. 1101(a)(42), 1157, and 1522). 
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) nationals of Afghanistan residing outside 
the United States who meet the requirements for ad-
mission to the United States through a specified ap-
plication have aided the United States mission in Af-
ghanistan during the past 20 years; and 
(2) the United States should increase support 
for such nationals. 
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SEC. 4. SUPPORT FOR AFGHAN ALLIES OUTSIDE OF THE 
UNITED STATES. 
(a) RESPONSE TO CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES.—The 
Secretary of State shall respond to inquiries by Members 
of Congress regarding a specified application submitted 
by, or on behalf of, a national of Afghanistan who has 
provided a confidentiality release. 
(b) OFFICE IN LIEU OF EMBASSY.—During the pe-
riod in which there is no operational United States em-
bassy in Afghanistan, the Secretary of State shall estab-
lish and maintain an office capable of— 
(1) reviewing specified applications submitted 
by nationals of Afghanistan residing in Afghanistan; 
(2) issuing visas to such nationals; 
(3) to the greatest extent practicable, providing 
services to such nationals that would normally be 
provided by an embassy; and 
(4) carrying out any other function the Sec-
retary considers necessary. 
SEC. 5. INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON AFGHAN ALLY 
STRATEGY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall 
establish an Interagency Task Force on Afghan Ally 
Strategy (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Task 
Force’’)— 
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(1) to develop and oversee the implementation 
of the strategy described in subsection (d)(1)(B)(iv); 
and 
(2) to submit the report, and provide a briefing 
on the report, described in subsection (d). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Task Force shall be 
comprised of— 
(A) the Secretary of State; 
(B) the Secretary of Homeland Security; 
(C) the Secretary of Defense; 
(D) the Director of the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation; 
(E) the Director of National Intelligence; 
and 
(F) any other Government official, as des-
ignated by the President. 
(2) DELEGATION.—A member of the Task 
Force may designate a representative to carry out 
the duties under this section. 
(c) CHAIR.—The Task Force shall be chaired by the 
Secretary of State. 
(d) DUTIES.— 
(1) REPORT AND STRATEGY.— 
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(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Task Force shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
a report that includes a strategy for supporting 
nationals of Afghanistan residing outside the 
United States who meet the requirements for 
admission to the United States through a speci-
fied application. 
(B) ELEMENTS.—The report required by 
subparagraph (A) shall include the following: 
(i) Estimates of— 
(I)(aa) the total number of na-
tionals of Afghanistan residing in Af-
ghanistan who have submitted speci-
fied applications that are pending 
and, as of the date on which the re-
port is submitted, have not been adju-
dicated; and 
(bb) the number of such nation-
als, disaggregated by type of specified 
application 
described 
in 
subpara-
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graphs (A), (B), and (C) of section 
2(b)(3); and 
(II)(aa) the total number of na-
tionals of Afghanistan residing in Af-
ghanistan who meet the requirements 
for admission to the United States 
through specified applications; and 
(bb) the number of such nation-
als, disaggregated by type of specified 
application 
described 
in 
subpara-
graphs (A), (B), and (C) of section 
2(b)(3). 
(ii) A description of the steps the Sec-
retary of State has taken and is taking to 
facilitate the relocation and resettlement of 
nationals of Afghanistan who— 
(I) supported the United States 
mission in Afghanistan; and 
(II) remain in Afghanistan or in 
third countries. 
(iii) An identification of all consider-
ations, including resource constraints, that 
limit the ability of the Secretary of State 
to facilitate such relocations and resettle-
ments. 
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(iv) A strategy and detailed plan 
that— 
(I) sets forth the manner in 
which members of the Task Force will 
address such considerations in order 
to facilitate such relocations and re-
settlements over different periods of 
time (including 1-year, 5-year, and 
10-year periods) and an analysis of 
the expected number of nationals of 
Afghanistan who would be relocated 
or resettled through such strategy; 
and 
(II) addresses the constraints 
and opportunities for expanding sup-
port for such relocations and resettle-
ments, including— 
(aa) the availability of re-
mote processing for individuals 
residing in Afghanistan; 
(bb) the availability and ca-
pacity of mechanisms for individ-
uals to be relocated from Afghan-
istan, including air charter or 
land passage; 
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(cc) the availability and ca-
pacity of sites in third countries 
to process applications and con-
duct any required vetting, includ-
ing identifying and establishing 
additional sites; 
(dd) 
resource, 
personnel, 
and equipment requirements to 
increase the capacity to better 
support such nationals of Af-
ghanistan and reduce application 
processing times; 
(ee) the provision of updates 
and necessary information to af-
fected individuals and relevant 
nongovernmental 
organizations; 
and 
(ff) any other matter the 
Task Force considers relevant to 
the implementation of the strat-
egy. 
(v) Recommendations for how Con-
gress can expand the number of nationals 
of Afghanistan who can be relocated or re-
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settled over such periods of time by pro-
viding additional authorities or resources. 
(C) FORM.—The report required by sub-
paragraph (A) shall be submitted in unclassi-
fied form, but may include a classified annex. 
(2) BRIEFING.—Not later than 60 days after 
submitting the report required by paragraph (1), the 
Task Force shall brief the Committee on Appropria-
tions and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and 
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
Representatives on the contents of such report. 
(e) TERMINATION.—The Task Force shall remain in 
effect until the earlier of— 
(1) the date on which the strategy required by 
subsection (d)(1) has been fully implemented; or 
(2) the date that is 10 years after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 6. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS FOR ELIGIBLE AFGHAN 
NATIONALS. 
(a) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE AFGHAN NATIONAL.— 
In this section, the term ‘‘eligible Afghan national’’ 
means— 
(1) an alien— 
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(A)(i) who is a citizen or national of Af-
ghanistan; or 
(ii) in the case of an alien having no na-
tionality, whose former or last habitual resi-
dence was in Afghanistan; and 
(B)(i) who was inspected and admitted to 
the United States on or before the date of the 
enactment of this Act; 
(ii) who was paroled into the United States 
during the period beginning on July 30, 2021, 
and ending on the date of the enactment of this 
Act, provided that such parole has not been ter-
minated by the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity; 
(iii) whose travel to the United States was 
facilitated by, or coordinated with, the United 
States Government; or 
(iv) who arrived in the United States after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, provided 
that the Secretary of Homeland Security, in co-
operation with other Federal agency partners, 
determines that the alien supported the United 
States mission in Afghanistan; 
(2) an alien who is the spouse or child (as de-
fined in section 101(b)(1) of the Immigration and 
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Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1))) of an alien 
described in paragraph (1); and 
(3) an alien who is the spouse or child (as de-
fined in section 101(b)(1) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1))) of an alien 
described in paragraph (1) who is deceased. 
(b) STREAMLINED ADJUSTMENT PROCESS FOR ELI-
GIBLE
AFGHAN
NATIONALS
WHO
SUPPORTED
THE 
UNITED STATES MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
shall adjust the status of an eligible Afghan national 
to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for per-
manent residence if— 
(A) the eligible Afghan national— 
(i) has— 
(I) received Chief of Mission ap-
proval as part of their application for 
special immigrant status; 
(II) received a Priority 1 or Pri-
ority 2 referral to the United States 
Refugee Admissions Program; or 
(III) a pending application for 
special immigrant status that was 
submitted on or before July 31, 2018; 
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(ii) submits an application for adjust-
ment of status in accordance with proce-
dures established by the Secretary of 
Homeland Security; 
(iii) subject to paragraph (2), is other-
wise admissible to the United States as an 
immigrant, except that the grounds of in-
admissibility under paragraphs (4), (5), 
and (7)(A) of section 212(a) the Immigra-
tion and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1182(a)) shall not apply; and 
(iv) has complied with the vetting re-
quirements under paragraphs (1) and (2) 
of subsection (d) to the satisfaction of the 
Secretary of Homeland Security; and 
(B) the Secretary of Homeland Security 
determines that the adjustment of status of the 
eligible Afghan national is not contrary to the 
national welfare, safety, or security of the 
United States. 
(2) APPLICABILITY OF REFUGEE ADMISSIBILITY 
REQUIREMENTS.—The provisions relating to admis-
sibility for a refugee seeking adjustment of status 
under section 209(c) of the Immigration and Na-
tionality Act (8 U.S.C. 1159(c)) shall apply to an 
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applicant for adjustment of status under this sub-
section. 
(c) ADJUSTMENT PROCESS FOR OTHER ELIGIBLE 
AFGHAN NATIONALS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
shall adjust the status of an eligible Afghan national 
who does not meet the requirements set forth in sub-
section (b)(1)(A)(i) to the status of an alien lawfully 
admitted for permanent residence if— 
(A) the eligible Afghan national— 
(i) has been physically present in the 
United States for a period not less than 2 
years; 
(ii) submits an application for adjust-
ment of status in accordance with proce-
dures established by the Secretary of 
Homeland Security; 
(iii) subject to paragraph (2), is other-
wise admissible to the United States as an 
immigrant, except that the grounds of in-
admissibility under paragraphs (4), (5), 
and (7)(A) of section 212(a) the Immigra-
tion and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1182(a)) shall not apply; and 
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(iv) has complied with the vetting re-
quirements under subsection (d)(1) to the 
satisfaction of the Secretary of Homeland 
Security; and 
(B) the Secretary of Homeland Security 
determines that the adjustment of status of the 
eligible Afghan national is not contrary to the 
national welfare, safety, or security of the 
United States. 
(2) WAIVER.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—With respect to an ap-
plicant for adjustment of status under this sub-
section, subject to subparagraph (B), the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security may waive any ap-
plicable ground of inadmissibility under section 
212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
(8 U.S.C. 1182(a)) (other than paragraphs 
2(C) or (3) of such section) for humanitarian 
purposes, to ensure family unity, or if a waiver 
is otherwise in the public interest. 
(B) 
LIMITATIONS.—The 
Secretary 
of 
Homeland Security may not waive under this 
paragraph any applicable ground of inadmis-
sibility under section 212(a)(2) of the Immigra-
tion and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)) 
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that arises due to criminal conduct that was 
committed— 
(i) on or after July 30, 2021; 
(ii) within the United States; and 
(iii) by an applicant for adjustment of 
status under this subsection. 
(C) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in 
this paragraph may be construed to limit any 
other waiver authority. 
(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
subsection may be construed to require the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security to complete the vetting 
process with respect to an applicant for adjustment 
of status under this subsection within the 2-year pe-
riod described in paragraph (1)(A)(i). 
(d) INTERVIEW AND VETTING REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) VETTING REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL APPLI-
CANTS.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
establish vetting requirements for applicants seeking 
adjustment of status under this section that are 
equivalent to the vetting requirements for refugees 
admitted to the United States through the United 
States Refugee Admissions Program, including an 
interview. 
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(2) ADDITIONAL VETTING REQUIREMENTS FOR 
OTHER
ELIGIBLE
AFGHAN
NATIONALS.—The Sec-
retary of Homeland Security, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Defense, shall maintain records that 
contain, for each applicant under subsection (c) for 
the duration of the pendency of their application for 
adjustment of status— 
(A) personal biographic information, in-
cluding name and date of birth; 
(B) biometric information; 
(C) any criminal conviction occurring after 
the date on which the applicant entered the 
United States; and 
(D) the history of the United States Gov-
ernment vetting to which the applicant has sub-
mitted, including whether the individual has un-
dergone in-person vetting. 
(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
subsection may be construed to limit the authority 
of the Secretary of Homeland Security to maintain 
records under any other law. 
(e) PROTECTION FOR BATTERED SPOUSES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—An alien whose marriage to 
an eligible Afghan national described in paragraph 
(1) of subsection (a) has been terminated shall be el-
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igible for adjustment of status under this section as 
an alien described in paragraph (2) of that sub-
section for not more than 2 years after the date on 
which such marriage is terminated if there is a dem-
onstrated connection between the termination of the 
marriage and battering or extreme cruelty per-
petrated by the principal applicant. 
(2) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW.—In review-
ing an application for adjustment of status under 
this section with respect to spouses and children who 
have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security shall apply sec-
tion 204(a)(1)(J) of the Immigration and Nation-
ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(J)) and section 384 
of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant 
Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1367). 
(f) DATE OF APPROVAL.—Upon the approval of an 
application for adjustment of status under this section, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall create a record of 
the alien’s admission as a lawful permanent resident as 
of the date on which the alien was inspected and admitted 
or paroled into the United States. 
(g) PROHIBITION ON FURTHER AUTHORIZATION OF 
PAROLE.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), an individual who is a national of Af-
ghanistan shall not be authorized for an additional 
period of parole if such individual— 
(A) is eligible to apply for adjustment of 
status under this section; and 
(B) fails to submit an application for ad-
justment of status by the later of— 
(i) the date that is 1 year after the 
date on which final guidance described in 
subsection (h)(2) is published; or 
(ii) the date that is 1 year after the 
date on which such individual becomes eli-
gible to apply for adjustment of status 
under this section. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—An individual described in 
paragraph (1)(A) may be authorized for an addi-
tional period of parole if such individual— 
(A) within the period described in para-
graph (1)(B), seeks an extension to file an ap-
plication for adjustment of status under this 
section; or 
(B) has previously submitted to a vetting 
equivalent of the vetting required under sub-
section (d). 
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(3) DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION.—Except as 
provided in paragraph (2), a national of Afghanistan 
who does not submit an application for adjustment 
of status within the timeline provided in paragraph 
(1)(B) may not later adjust status under this sec-
tion. 
(h) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(1) INTERIM GUIDANCE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
issue guidance implementing this section. 
(B) PUBLICATION.—Notwithstanding sec-
tion 553 of title 5, United States Code, such 
guidance— 
(i) may be published on the internet 
website of the Department of Homeland 
Security; and 
(ii) shall be effective on an interim 
basis immediately upon such publication 
but may be subject to change and revision 
after notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. 
(2) FINAL GUIDANCE.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
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retary of Homeland Security shall finalize guidance 
implementing this section. 
(i) ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW.—The Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall provide applicants for adjust-
ment of status under this section with the same right to, 
and procedures for, administrative review as are provided 
to applicants for adjustment of status under section 245 
of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1255). 
(j) PROHIBITION ON FEES.—The Secretary of Home-
land Security may not charge a fee to any eligible Afghan 
national in connection with— 
(1) an application for adjustment of status or 
employment authorization under this section; or 
(2) the issuance of a permanent resident card 
or an employment authorization document. 
(k) PENDING APPLICATIONS.—During the period be-
ginning on the date on which an alien files a bona fide 
application for adjustment of status under this section and 
ending on the date on which the Secretary of Homeland 
Security makes a final administrative decision regarding 
such application, any alien and any dependent included 
in such application who remains in compliance with all ap-
plication requirements may not be— 
(1) removed from the United States unless the 
Secretary of Homeland Security makes a prima facie 
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determination that the alien is, or has become, ineli-
gible for adjustment of status under this section; 
(2) considered unlawfully present under section 
212(a)(9)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(9)(B)); or 
(3) considered an unauthorized alien (as de-
fined in section 274A(h)(3) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a(h)(3))). 
(l) VAWA SELF PETITIONERS.—Section 101(a)(51) 
of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1101(a)(51)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘or’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(H) subsections (b) and (c) of section 6 
of the Afghan Adjustment Act.’’. 
(m) EXEMPTION FROM NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS.— 
Aliens granted adjustment of status under this section 
shall not be subject to the numerical limitations under sec-
tions 201, 202, and 203 of the Immigration and Nation-
ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151, 1152, and 1153). 
(n) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion may be construed to preclude an eligible Afghan na-
tional from applying for or receiving any immigration ben-
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efit to which the eligible Afghan national is otherwise enti-
tled. 
SEC. 7. SPECIAL IMMIGRANT STATUS FOR AT-RISK AFGHAN 
ALLIES AND RELATIVES OF CERTAIN MEM-
BERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) AT-RISK AFGHAN ALLIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (4)(C), 
the Secretary of Homeland Security may provide an 
alien described in paragraph (2) (and the spouse, 
children of the alien if accompanying or following to 
join the alien) with the status of special immigrant 
under section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)) if the 
alien— 
(A) or an agent acting on behalf of the 
alien, submits a petition for classification under 
section 203(b)(4) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 
1153(b)(4)); 
(B) is otherwise admissible to the United 
States and eligible for lawful permanent resi-
dence (excluding the grounds of inadmissibility 
under section 212(a)(4) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 
1182(a)(4))); 
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(C) clears a background check and appro-
priate screening, as determined by the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security; and 
(D) the Secretary of Homeland Security 
determines that the adjustment of status of the 
alien is not contrary to the national welfare, 
safety, or security of the United States. 
(2) ALIEN DESCRIBED.—An alien described in 
this paragraph is an alien who— 
(A) is a citizen or national of Afghanistan; 
(B) was a member of— 
(i) the Afghanistan National Army 
Special Operations Command; 
(ii) the Afghan Air Force; 
(iii) the Special Mission Wing of Af-
ghanistan; or 
(iv) the Female Tactical Teams of Af-
ghanistan; and 
(C) provided faithful and valuable service 
to an entity or organization described in sub-
paragraph (B) for not less than 1 year. 
(3) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ASSESSMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days 
after receiving a request for an assessment 
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from the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
Secretary of Defense shall— 
(i) review the service record of the 
principal applicant; 
(ii) submit an assessment to the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security as to wheth-
er— 
(I) the principal applicant meets 
the requirements under paragraph 
(2); and 
(II) the adjustment of status of 
such alien, and the spouse, children, 
and parents of such alien, if accom-
panying or following to join the alien, 
is not contrary to the national wel-
fare, safety, or security of the United 
States; and 
(iii) submit with such assessment— 
(I) any service record concerned; 
and 
(II) any biometrics for the prin-
cipal applicant that have been col-
lected by the Department of Defense. 
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(B) EFFECT
OF
ASSESSMENT.—A favor-
able assessment under subparagraph (A)(ii) 
shall create a presumption that— 
(i) the principal applicant meets the 
requirements under paragraph (2); and 
(ii) the admission of such alien, and 
the spouse, children, and parents of the 
alien, if accompanying or following to join 
the alien, is not contrary to the national 
welfare, safety, or security of the United 
States. 
(C) EFFICIENT
PROCESSING.—For pur-
poses of a background check and appropriate 
screening required to be granted special immi-
grant status under this subsection, the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security, as appropriate, 
shall use biometric data collected by the Sec-
retary of Defense or the Secretary of State not 
more than 5 years before the date on which an 
application for such status is filed. 
(b) SPECIAL IMMIGRANT STATUS FOR CERTAIN REL-
ATIVES
OF
CERTAIN
MEMBERS
OF
THE
ARMED 
FORCES.—Section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Na-
tionality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)) is amended— 
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(1) in subparagraph (L)(iii), by adding a semi-
colon at the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (M), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(N) a citizen or national of Afghanistan 
who is the spouse, child, or unmarried son or 
daughter of— 
‘‘(i) a member of the armed forces (as 
defined in section 101(a) of title 10, 
United States Code); or 
‘‘(ii) a veteran (as defined in section 
101 of title 38, United States Code).’’. 
(c) GENERAL PROVISIONS.— 
(1) PROHIBITION ON FEES.—The Secretary of 
Homeland Security, the Secretary of Defense, or the 
Secretary of State may not charge any fee in con-
nection with an application for, or issuance of, a 
special immigrant visa under this section or an 
amendment made by this section. 
(2) REPRESENTATION.—An alien applying for 
admission to the United States under this section, or 
an amendment made by this section, may be rep-
resented during the application process, including at 
relevant interviews and examinations, by an attorney 
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or other accredited representative. Such representa-
tion shall not be at the expense of the United States 
Government. 
(3) EXCLUSION
FROM
NUMERICAL
LIMITA-
TIONS.—Aliens provided special immigrant visas 
under this section, or an amendment made by this 
section, shall not be counted against any numerical 
limitation 
under 
section 
201(d), 
202(a), 
or 
203(b)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
U.S.C. 1151(d), 1152(a), and 1153(b)(4)) or section 
602 of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 
(Public Law 111–8; 8 U.S.C. 1101 note). 
(4) ASSISTANCE WITH PASSPORT ISSUANCE.— 
The Secretary of State shall make a reasonable ef-
fort to ensure that an alien who is issued a special 
immigrant visa under this section, or an amendment 
made by this section, is provided with the appro-
priate series Afghan passport necessary to enter the 
United States. 
(5) PROTECTION OF ALIENS.—The Secretary of 
State, in consultation with the heads of other appro-
priate Federal agencies, shall make a reasonable ef-
fort to provide an alien who is seeking special immi-
grant status under this section, or an amendment 
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made by this section, protection or to immediately 
remove such alien from Afghanistan, if possible. 
(6) OTHER ELIGIBILITY FOR IMMIGRANT STA-
TUS.—No alien shall be denied the opportunity to 
apply for admission under this section, or an amend-
ment made by this section, solely because the alien 
qualifies as an immediate relative or is eligible for 
any other immigrant classification. 
(7) RESETTLEMENT
SUPPORT.—A citizen or 
national of Afghanistan who is granted special immi-
grant status described in section 101(a)(27) of the 
Immigration 
and 
Nationality 
Act 
(8 
U.S.C. 
1101(a)(27)) shall be eligible for resettlement assist-
ance, entitlement programs, and other benefits avail-
able to refugees admitted under section 207 of such 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1157) to the same extent, and for the 
same periods of time, as such refugees. 
(8) 
ADJUSTMENT
OF
STATUS.—Notwith-
standing paragraph (2), (7), or (8) of subsection (c) 
of section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1255), the Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity may adjust the status of an alien described in 
subparagraph (N) of section 101(a)(27) of the Im-
migration 
and 
Nationality 
Act 
(8 
U.S.C. 
1101(a)(27)) or subsection (a)(2) of this section to 
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that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent res-
idence under subsection (a) of such section 245 if 
the alien— 
(A) was paroled or admitted as a non-
immigrant into the United States; and 
(B) is otherwise eligible for special immi-
grant status under— 
(i) this section; or 
(ii) the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.). 
(9) APPEALS.— 
(A) ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW.—Not later 
than 30 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
shall provide to aliens who have applied for spe-
cial immigrant status under this section a proc-
ess by which an applicant may seek administra-
tive appellate review of a denial of an applicant 
for special immigrant status or a revocation of 
such status. 
(B) JUDICIAL
REVIEW.—Except as pro-
vided in subparagraph (C), and notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, an alien may seek 
judicial review of a denial of an application for 
special immigrant status or a revocation of such 
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status under this Act, in an appropriate United 
States district court. 
(C) STAY OF REMOVAL.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided 
in clause (ii), an alien seeking administra-
tive or judicial review under this Act may 
not be removed from the United States 
until a final decision is rendered estab-
lishing that the alien is ineligible for spe-
cial immigrant status under this section. 
(ii) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary may 
remove an alien described in clause (i) 
pending judicial review if such removal is 
based on national security concerns. Such 
removal shall not affect the alien’s right to 
judicial review under this Act. The Sec-
retary shall promptly return a removed 
alien if a decision to deny an application 
for special immigrant status under this 
Act, or to revoke such status, is reversed. 
SEC. 8. SEVERABILITY. 
If any provision of this Act, or the application of such 
provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be un-
constitutional, the remainder of this Act, and the applica-
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