# Afghan and Iraqi Allies Resettlement Improvement Act

This bill is designed to help Afghan and Iraqi people who worked with the U.S. military and government get better support when they move to America. These are people who served as translators, interpreters, or worked in other roles helping American forces, and they've been granted special immigrant visas to come to the United States as a result of their service.

The bill does four main things. First, it requires the government to study how these resettled Afghans and Iraqis are actually doing once they arrive—looking at whether they find jobs, how much they earn, whether they buy homes, and how their kids do in school. This information will help the government figure out what's working and what needs improvement. Second, the State Department has to make sure people applying for these visas get better information before they arrive, including materials in their native languages like Dari, Pashto, and Urdu. This helps them understand what to expect about American life and how the resettlement process works. Third, the bill creates a temporary job program through the Defense Department and State Department that specifically hires these resettled immigrants as translators, interpreters, and cultural advisors—giving them immediate employment opportunities that use their language skills and cultural knowledge. This program runs until the end of 2026. Finally, the bill makes sure that various government agencies and nonprofit organizations work together to tell these immigrants about the job opportunities available to them.

The practical impact is that Afghan and Iraqi allies who risked their lives working with America will have better preparation before arriving, clearer pathways to employment, and government support in getting established in their new country. The research component also means the government will have data to improve the resettlement process for future groups of immigrants in similar situations.

Afghan and Iraqi Allies Resettlement Improvement Act

Matsui, Doris O.

Afghan and Iraqi Allies Resettlement Improvement Act This bill addresses the settlement of Afghan and Iraqi special immigrant visa (SIV) holders. (Generally, SIV holders are individuals who received visas due to their work with the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq or Afghanistan.) The Department of Health and Human Services must survey long-term outcomes, such as employment, housing, and educational attainment, of SIV holders as part of its annual survey of refugees. The Department of State must implement additional ways to deliver information in certain languages (i.e., Dari, Pashto, or Urdu) to prospective SIV holders about resettlement in the United States to assist with their adjustment process. The State Department and the Department of Defense must jointly establish a temporary program to offer SIV holders employment as translators, interpreters, and cultural awareness instructors.