H.R. 7759

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7759 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7759

To require verification of the personal and biometric information of 
all individuals evacuated from Afghanistan, to require in-person 
interviews of such individuals, and to prohibit Afghan evacuees who do 
not provide such information or submit to such interviews from 
receiving Federal assistance, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 3, 2026

Mr. Barr (for himself, Mr. Biggs of Arizona, and Mr. Pfluger) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To require verification of the personal and biometric information of 
all individuals evacuated from Afghanistan, to require in-person 
interviews of such individuals, and to prohibit Afghan evacuees who do 
not provide such information or submit to such interviews from 
receiving Federal assistance, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Afghanistan Vetting and 
Accountability Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. VERIFICATION AND VETTING REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO 
INDIVIDUALS EVACUATED FROM AFGHANISTAN.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Federal means-tested public benefit.--The term 
``Federal means-tested public benefit'' means a Federal means-
tested public benefit within the meaning of section 403 of the 
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act 
of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1613).
(2) Individual evacuated from afghanistan.--The term 
``individual evacuated from Afghanistan''--
(A) means any individual, other than a United 
States citizen or a member of the United States Armed 
Forces, conveyed out of Afghanistan into the United 
States in coordination with the Government of the 
United States during the period beginning on January 
20, 2021, and ending on January 20, 2022; and
(B) includes each individual, other than a United 
States citizen or a member of the United States Armed 
Forces, evacuated from Afghanistan as part of Operation 
Allies Welcome.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Homeland Security.
(4) Unemployment compensation.--The term ``unemployment 
compensation'' has the meaning given the term in section 85(b) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(b) Verification and Vetting Requirements.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall verify the personal 
and biometric information and conduct in-person vetting of each 
individual evacuated from Afghanistan.
(2) Vetting database.--The Secretary shall develop and 
maintain a database that contains, for each individual 
evacuated from Afghanistan, the following:
(A) Personal information, including name and date 
of birth.
(B) Biometric information.
(C) Any criminal record since the date on which the 
individual entered the United States.
(D) Any application for, or receipt of, 
unemployment compensation or a Federal means-tested 
public benefit.
(E) The vetting status of the individual, including 
whether the individual has undergone in-person vetting.
(c) Quarterly Report.--
(1) In general.--Not less frequently than quarterly until 
the date on which the Secretary submits the certification under 
subsection (d), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
detailing the compliance of the Secretary with subsection (b).
(2) Elements.--Each report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following:
(A) A list of all individuals evacuated from 
Afghanistan.
(B) With respect to each such individual--
(i) vetting status, including whether the 
individual has undergone in-person vetting;
(ii) an assessment as to whether the 
individual has received unemployment 
compensation or a Federal means-tested benefit;
(iii) a description of any arrest or 
criminal record for conduct that occurred in 
Afghanistan, if available; and
(iv) a description of any arrest or 
criminal record for conduct that occurred in 
the United States.
(C) The estimated number of days remaining until 
the Secretary completes the verification and vetting of 
each individual evacuated from Afghanistan as required 
by subsection (b)(1).
(d) Certification.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which 
the Secretary completes the verification and vetting required by 
subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
certification that such verification and vetting has been completed.
(e) GAO Audits and Reports.--
(1) Audits.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall conduct an audit and investigation with respect to the 
compliance of the Secretary with this Act--
(A) not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act; and
(B) not later than 1 year after the date on which 
the Secretary makes the certification under subsection 
(d).
(2) Reports.--Not later than 30 days after the completion 
of each audit and investigation required by paragraph (1), the 
Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the 
results of the audit and investigation.
(f) Restriction on Federal Assistance.--An individual evacuated 
from Afghanistan who has not provided personal information and 
biometric information to the Secretary, and undergone in-person 
vetting, shall not be eligible to receive unemployment compensation or 
any Federal means-tested public benefit.
<all>