Afghanistan TPS Act of 2026

The **Afghanistan TPS Act of 2026** formally designates Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This designation begins on the date the bill becomes law and lasts until **July 1, 2029**. Under this legislation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is required to process TPS applications and work permits for eligible Afghan nationals residing in the United States.

* **Afghan nationals** currently living in the United States who meet continuous presence, security, and immigration admissibility requirements. * **The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)**, which is responsible for reviewing applications, conducting background checks, and approving work permits and emergency travel permissions.

* **Protection and Work Eligibility:** Eligible Afghan nationals can receive temporary legal protection from deportation and apply for authorization to work legally in the United States. * **Processing Timelines:** DHS is required to decide on an individual's application within **90 days** of receiving it. * **Background Checks:** Applicants are required to submit biographic and biometric information and undergo criminal and national security background checks. * **Emergency Travel:** DHS is required to give prior approval for brief travel outside the United States if an applicant demonstrates that emergency, extenuating circumstances beyond their control require it. Returning individuals retain standard TPS recipient status.

* **Filing Fee Waivers:** DHS is required to allow applicants to apply for a waiver of any filing fees connected to their TPS applications. * **Government Spending:** The provided text does not mention specific funding allocations, tax provisions, or overall spending amounts for this legislation.

* **Presence Cutoff:** Applicants must have been continuously physically present in the United States starting from the exact date the bill is enacted. * **Disqualifications:** Individuals are ineligible if they are inadmissible as immigrants or disqualified under general TPS rules (such as certain criminal convictions or security risks). * **Processing Extensions:** DHS is permitted to extend the mandatory 90-day decision deadline by up to **150 additional days** for a specific applicant, provided the DHS Secretary officially certifies to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees that extra time is needed due to national security concerns or adverse information specific to that individual.

This bill grants eligible Afghan nationals already in the United States temporary protection from deportation and work authorization through July 1, 2029. It requires DHS to process applications within 90 days and allow fee waiver requests, while permitting extended security reviews when necessary.