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.