H.R. 3985ALLIES Act of 2021

1 recorded action231 of these members are on the 2026 ballotWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Jason Crow [D-CO-06]
Cosponsors: 140 · 104 Democrats · 36 Republicans
Policy area: Immigration
Committee: Judiciary Committee
Latest action: Jul 22, 2021 · Received in the Senate.

IntroducedJun 17, 2021
Passed the HouseJul 22, 2021
Passed the SenateNot yet reached
Sent to the PresidentNot yet reached
Became lawNot yet reached

What the measure doesCRS summary

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.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing H.R. 3985 as passed House on Jul 22, 2021. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

How every member votedHouse roll call 218

House Jul 22, 2021

On Passage

Allies Act

Passed

407 Yea 16 Nay 7 not voting

Crossed both parties 16 of 423 voting members broke with their own party: 16 Republicans.

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How the chamber split

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DemocratsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

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All members430 members

Democratic219 members

Republican211 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors140 · 104 Democrats · 36 Republicans

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor H.R. 3985 and vote against it. 24 signed when it was filed.

Loading the public record

H.R. 3985ALLIES Act of 2021

What the measure doesCRS summary

How every member votedHouse roll call 218

On Passage

How the chamber split

Cosponsors140 · 104 Democrats · 36 Republicans

H.R. 3985ALLIES Act of 2021

What the measure doesCRS summary

How every member votedHouse roll call 218

On Passage

How the chamber split

Cosponsors140 · 104 Democrats · 36 Republicans

Who lobbied on H.R. 39857 organizations

Who lobbied on H.R. 39857 organizations