New Bipartisan Bill Aims to Fulfill America’s Promise to Afghan Allies

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressmembers Sam Liccardo (D-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Maria Salazar (R-FL) introduced a bipartisan bill to protect Afghan allies from deportation. After the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Department of Homeland Security granted more than 9,000 Afghans Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to seek refuge in the United States. Many of these individuals served alongside U.S. forces, making them particularly vulnerable to Taliban retaliation if deported.

On May 12, 2025, the Trump administration formally announced the termination of TPS for Afghanistan leaving thousands of Afghans at risk of deportation. The deadly impacts have already begun. Other Afghans facing deportation have expressed they'd rather take their own lives than return and face the Taliban's wrath.

"Thousands of Afghans risked their lives alongside our troops, fighting for freedom from a brutal regime," said Rep. Liccardo. "Abandoning our promise to protect them does not merely stain the Trump administration, but it betrays the honor of every American. We regain that honor by supporting those who fight tyranny, by keeping our word, and by reclaiming our American identity as a radiant beacon of liberty to a dark world."

"When I served in combat in Afghanistan, I fought alongside brave Afghans. Without their help, I may not be here today. After more than 20 years of war, we promised we'd protect those who

protected us. The U.S. must live up to that commitment," said Rep. Crow. "As many face violence and persecution in Afghanistan by the Taliban if they are sent back, our legislation would protect Afghans already here in the United States."

"Afghanistan remains under Taliban control, and thousands of Afghans who sought refuge in the United States cannot safely return. Among them are families who stood shoulder to shoulder with American soldiers, risked everything to support our country, and would face persecution if forced to return," said Rep. Salazar. "I am proud to co-lead legislation extending Temporary Protected Status for vetted Afghans already in the United States while maintaining strict criminal and national-security screening. TPS exists for moments like this."

"America should not turn its back on Afghan allies who risked everything to support our troops and our mission, especially after the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan," said Rep. Bacon. "Many of these individuals were our allies who served bravely alongside American servicemembers, came here through lawful or humanitarian pathways, and are still going through the legal process here in the United States. The Afghanistan TPS Act of 2026 provides temporary protection and work authorization for eligible Afghans who are already here, while requiring biometric and biographic information and criminal and national-security background checks. This is not a permanent immigration status, but a responsible bridge for vetted allies and families who stood with America and could face persecution or death if forced back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. I'm grateful to work with Reps. Crow and Liccardo on this effort to keep America's promise to those who stood with us."

The bill earned endorsements from:

Andrew Sullivan, Executive Director of No One Left Behind

"Our Afghan allies did not stop being our allies when their status changed. Afghan partners took extraordinary risks on our behalf for twenty years, and the ongoing threats to their lives in Afghanistan are well documented. How we treat them now determines whether America has the same support in the next national security conflict. Sending people who worked and sacrificed for the United States back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan hands our adversaries a propaganda win and unnecessarily puts our allies at risk. This bill promotes national security by enforcing rigorous vetting and thorough security checks while protecting vetted Afghan nationals. No One Left Behind is proud to endorse this legislation, and we thank Representatives Crow, Bacon, Salazar, and Liccardo for the bipartisan work behind it."

Shawn VanDiver, President and Board Founder Afghan Evac

"Afghan allies risked everything for this country. They deserve to rest easy and pursue the American dream while their paperwork catches up, not live with fear hanging over every doctor's appointment, every lease signing, every school drop-off. AfghanEvac is proud to endorse the bipartisan Afghanistan TPS Act of 2026, introduced by Representatives Crow, Liccardo, Salazar, and Bacon, and we urge Congress to pass it without delay."

Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

"IAVA will always stand by our Afghan Allies. Our national security and credibility as a moral nation depends on how we treat those who saved countless lives of men and women in uniform for over two decades in Afghanistan combat," said Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). "We are encouraged by Representatives Crow, Liccardo, Salazar, and Bacon for their leadership in the fight to uphold our promise to our Allies. While this bill offers a narrowly scoped, time-limited reprieve we are hopeful that it can be a meaningful stepping stone towards a lasting pathway to citizenship. We are proud to support the steps this legislation makes, and Congress for recognizing that it's long overdue to fulfill that promise."

About Temporary Protected Status:

TPS is a temporary humanitarian protection the U.S. government can grant to individuals from countries experiencing war, political instability, natural disasters, or other unsafe conditions. TPS is only available to individuals who are already physically present in the United States and pass required background and security checks.

If granted TPS, an individual is protected from removal and may obtain authorization to work legally in the United States while the designation remains active. However, TPS does not provide permanent legal status or create a direct pathway to a green card or citizenship. TPS recipients may also separately apply for asylum, Special Immigrant Visa's, or family-based permanent residency if they qualify.

Full bill text linked here.