Averting Loss of Life and Injury by Expediting SIVs Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3985
Sponsor: Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Afghanistan
Alliances
Asia
Collective security
Conflicts and wars
Family relationships
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign labor
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Immigration status and procedures
Military operations and strategy
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Averting Loss of Life and Injury by Expediting SIVs Act of 2021 or the Allies Act of 2021

 
This bill increases the number of special immigrant visas available to qualified Afghan nationals who worked for the U.S. government or a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) mission in Afghanistan. The bill also relaxes certain qualifications for such visas.
 
Specifically, this bill makes available an additional 8,000 visas for principal aliens under this special visa program, to be available until all such visas have been issued. (The numerical limitations in this program apply only to the principal alien who applies for the visa, not to any spouse or child who may accompany the principal alien.)
 
The bill also eliminates a requirement for each applicant to submit a credible sworn statement describing the threat the applicant faces in Afghanistan due to their employment with the U.S. government or a NATO mission. 
 
Furthermore, for an applicant qualifying for a visa by performing duties for U.S. military personnel stationed with a NATO mission, this bill eliminates a requirement that the duties performed qualify as sensitive and trusted duties.

action_date: 2021-07-22
text: 

Averting Loss of Life and Injury by Expediting SIVs Act of 2021 or the Allies Act of 2021

 
This bill increases the number of special immigrant visas available to qualified Afghan nationals who worked for the U.S. government or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) missions in Afghanistan. The bill also relaxes certain qualifications for such visas.
 
Specifically, this bill makes available an additional 8,000 visas for principal aliens under this special visa program, to be available until all such visas have been issued. (The numerical limitations in this program apply only to the principal alien who applies for the visa, not to any accompanying spouse or child.)
 
Under this bill, an alien may qualify based on a credible basis for concern about the possibility of an ongoing serious threat in Afghanistan due to their work with the U.S. government or a NATO mission, where currently the alien must have experienced such a threat. The bill also eliminates a requirement for each applicant to submit a credible sworn statement describing that threat. 
 
Furthermore, for an applicant qualifying for a visa by performing duties for U.S. military personnel stationed with a NATO mission, this bill eliminates a requirement that the duties performed qualify as sensitive and trusted duties.
 
If an alien submits a visa application that included an accompanying spouse or child but the alien passes away before the application is granted, the surviving spouse or child shall remain eligible to receive a visa under that application. Currently, a surviving spouse or child retains eligibility only if the application was approved before the alien passed away.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 407 - 16 (Roll no. 218). (text: CR H3807)
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 407 - 16 (Roll no. 218).(text: CR H3807)
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3985.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2467, H.R. 2668 and H.R. 3985. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 2467, H.R. 2668 and H.R. 3985. The resolution provides en bloc suspension authority and provides at any time through the legislative day of Thursday, July 22, 2021, the Speaker may entertain motions offered by the Majority Leader or a designee that the House suspend the rules with respect to multiple measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on the legislative days of July 19 or 20, 2021, and on which the yeas and nays were ordered and further proceedings postponed.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 535. (consideration: CR H3807-3817)
action_date: 2021-07-20
text: Rule H. Res. 535 passed House.
action_date: 2021-07-19
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 535 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2467, H.R. 2668 and H.R. 3985. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 2467, H.R. 2668 and H.R. 3985. The resolution provides en bloc suspension authority and provides at any time through the legislative day of Thursday, July 22, 2021, the Speaker may entertain motions offered by the Majority Leader or a designee that the House suspend the rules with respect to multiple measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on the legislative days of July 19 or 20, 2021, and on which the yeas and nays were ordered and further proceedings postponed.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House