A bill to provide for records preservation processes for certain at-risk Afghan allies.

The **Afghan Ally Records and Credential Heritage of 2026** (or **ARCH Act**) directs the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a records preservation program for specific Afghan allies who are currently located outside the United States. Under the bill, the Secretary of Defense is required to: * Set up an application process and launch a secure online portal within **180 days** of enactment. * Allow eligible individuals (or their designated representatives) to apply and submit supporting documentation online. * Review applicant submissions using military service records, internal or contractor DOD files, witness attestations from current or former DOD officials, and biometric data.

This bill affects citizens, nationals, or habitual residents of Afghanistan currently residing outside the U.S. who served for **at least 1 year** between **December 22, 2001, and September 1, 2021**, supporting the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. To qualify, individuals must have served in one of the following roles: * **Special Operations:** Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) special operations, Afghan Air Force, Special Mission Wing, or Army Special Operations Command. * **Female Personnel:** Female members of any ANDSF entity, cadets or instructors at the Afghanistan National Defense University, and female civilian employees of the Ministry of Defense (MOD) or Ministry of Interior Affairs (MOI). * **Intelligence & Counter-Threat Personnel:** Operators or DOD sources in military/police human intelligence, or individuals in military counterintelligence, counterterrorism, or counternarcotics. * **Justice & Legal Sector:** Judges, prosecutors, investigators, and court/ministry personnel involved in U.S.-funded rule-of-law activities or in investigating, prosecuting, or detaining Taliban combatants and criminal networks. * **Senior Leadership:** Senior military officers, senior enlisted personnel, or civilian staff in the former Afghan MOD or MOI.

* **Portal Creation:** The DOD would be mandated to build and maintain a secure online system within 180 days for Afghan allies abroad to submit records. * **Record Verification:** The DOD would actively gather and review internal DOD records, contractor records, military attestations, and biometric data to officially preserve the service credentials of eligible applicants.

The provided text summary does not outline specific funding amounts, appropriations, fees, or taxes associated with establishing or running this program.

* **Location Limit:** The program applies only to eligible individuals located *outside* the United States. * **Service Duration:** Applicants must meet the minimum requirement of 1 year of qualifying service within the designated 2001–2021 timeframe. * **Role Restrictions:** Only individuals fitting the exact job categories defined in the bill are eligible for records preservation. * **Unclear Information:** Because the provided text summary cuts off, specific details regarding post-review steps, potential appeal processes, or additional program parameters are not specified.

This bill requires the U.S. Department of Defense to create an online portal within 180 days so that specific Afghan military, intelligence, legal, and female personnel living outside the U.S. can submit documents to officially preserve and verify their service records with the U.S. government.