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Bill117th CongressFiled Jun 17, 2021Immigration
H.R. 3985

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

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house (Jul 22, 2021)

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.

What just happenedJul 22, 2021

Received in the Senate.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6](D-CO)Sponsor
140 cosponsors104 D36 R
Read on Congress.gov
140cosponsors1committees13actions1amendments2related bills12subjects
  1. Jul 22, 2021IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  2. Jul 22, 2021FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Jul 22, 2021FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 407 - 16 (Roll no. 218). (text: CR H3807)

  4. Jul 22, 2021Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 407 - 16 (Roll no. 218).(text: CR H3807)

  5. Jul 22, 2021FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  6. Jul 22, 2021FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3985.

  7. Jul 22, 2021FloorH8D000

    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.

  8. Jul 22, 2021FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 535. (consideration: CR H3807-3817)

  9. Jul 20, 2021FloorH1L220

    Rule H. Res. 535 passed House.

  10. Jul 19, 2021FloorH1L210

    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.

  11. Jun 17, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  12. Jun 17, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  13. Jun 17, 2021IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseJul 22, 202153

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.

Introduced in HouseJun 17, 2021

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.

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