Emergency Afghan Allies Extension Act of 2014
Emergency Afghan Allies Extension Act of 2014
The Emergency Afghan Allies Extension Act of 2014 (H.R. 5195) is a U.S. law that adds 1,000 emergency Afghan Special Immigrant Visas for Afghan translators who helped U.S. troops in Afghanistan. It was introduced in the 113th Congress by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) on July 24, 2014, passed the House on July 30, 2014, and the Senate on August 1, 2014, and was signed into law by President Barack Obama on August 8, 2014. Public Law 113-160.
What it does
- Increases the number of Afghan Special Immigrant Visas by 1,000 for FY2014 by amending the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009.
- Requires the State Department to temporarily raise processing fees by $1 for certain visas and nonimmigrant ID cards, by January 1, 2015.
Why it was needed
- The U.S. had promised protection to translators who aided American forces. By late 2014, visas previously authorized had been exhausted, risking translators and their families. The act provides these additional visas to prevent leaving them in danger.
Background
- Historically, Afghans who helped the U.S. could receive up to about 3,000 visas per year, but those visas had run out, prompting the push for emergency action.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 03:54 (CET).