,i #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hgdj ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #ab1 #bjbf,ms4 ,ansari 7for herself and ,mr4 ,suozzi7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on the ,judiciary ,a ,,bill ,to provide temporary protected status and employment authorization to certain ,iranian nationals adversely affected by the adjudication pause of ,december #bjbe1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,iranian ,temporary ,immigration ,relief ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,the ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,since early #bjbf1 the ,united ,states has been engaged in armed hostilities with the ,islamic ,republic of ,iran1 including direct military strikes on ,iranian territory1 naval confrontations in the ,persian ,gulf1 and sustained operations targeting ,iranian military and nuclear infrastructure4 ,these hostilities have resulted in significant civilian casualties1 displacement of ,iranian populations1 and a severe deterioration of security conditions throughout the ,islamic ,republic of ,iran4 7#b7 ,the state of conflict between the ,united ,states and ,iran has created extraordinary and temporary conditions in ,iran within the meaning of section #bdd7;b77#a77;,c7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abed;a7b77#a77;,c771 including but not limited to3 destruction of civilian infrastructure2 disruption of essential services including healthcare1 transportation1 and communications2 economic instability driven by internal mismanagement1 conflict1 and broader economic disruption2 and a pervasive climate of danger to any individual perceived by the ,iranian regime as having ties to the ,united ,states1 such that ,iranian nationals in the ,united ,states cannot safely return to ,iran1 and their return would pose a serious threat to their personal safety4 7#c7 ,independent of and compounding the conditions created by the armed conflict1 the ,iranian regime has engaged in a campaign of widespread atrocities against its own civilian population1 including massacres of civilians in ,january #bjbf and the months following1 mass arrests of political dissidents and perceived opponents1 extrajudicial killings1 enforced disappearances1 systematic use of torture in detention facilities1 the violent suppression of public dissent1 a near-total nationwide internet shutdown4 ,these acts of state repression constitute additional extraordinary and temporary conditions within the meaning of section #bdd7;b77#a77;,c7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abed;a7b77#a77;,c77 and create a pervasive climate of danger to any individual perceived by the ,iranian regime as having ties to the ,united ,states1 opposition sympathies1 or connections to the ,iranian diaspora4 7#d7 ,the ,government of the ,islamic ,republic of ,iran is distinct from the ,iranian people1 many of whom oppose the regime and would face heightened risk of persecution if returned4 7#e7 ,in ,december #bjbe1 ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services implemented a pause on the adjudication of benefit applications filed by nationals of ,iran1 in connection with national security concerns involving the ,islamic ,republic of ,iran4 7#f7 ,the adjudication pause has caused significant and specific harm to ,iranian nationals lawfully present in the ,united ,states who have pending applications for change of nonimmigrant or immigrant status1 extension of stay1 or employment authorization that were filed in good faith and in compliance with applicable law4 7#g7 ,certain ,iranian nationals whose underlying immigration status may expire during the adjudication pause are now in a state of legal limbo--their lawful presence depends solely on the continued pendency of applications that ,,uscis has paused to adjudicate1 exposing them to potential accrual of unlawful presence1 removal proceedings1 and inadmissibility consequences through no fault of their own4 7#h7 ,certain ,iranian nationals whose employment authorization documents may expire during the adjudication pause1 and whose timely filed renewal applications remain unadjudicated1 are unable to lawfully work1 causing severe financial hardship to them and their families4 7#i7 ,these individuals took all steps required by law to maintain their immigration status and work authorization1 and their current predicament is the direct result of government action rather than any failure on their part4 7#aj7 ,iranian nationals who have resided in the ,united ,states face a heightened and particularized risk of persecution1 detention1 interrogation1 or violence at the hands of the ,iranian government and its affiliated security forces upon return to ,iran1 based on their perceived association with the ,united ,states1 their exposure to ,western society1 and the ,iranian regime's documented pattern of retaliating against individuals with ,american connections during periods of bilateral hostility4 7#aa7 ,many of the ,iranian nationals affected by the adjudication pause have1 in the months preceding and following the onset of hostilities1 actively and publicly participated in pro-democracy demonstrations against the ,islamic ,republic of ,iran within the ,united ,states1 and have engaged in online advocacy campaigns--including on social media platforms widely monitored by ,iranian intelligence services--in support of the ,iranian people's aspirations for freedom1 human rights1 and democratic governance4 ,these individuals face a particularly acute and well-documented risk of persecution1 imprisonment1 torture1 or execution by the ,iranian regime should they be compelled to return to ,iran1 as the regime has a systematic and well-documented practice of identifying1 tracking1 and retaliating against diaspora activists and their family members inside ,iran4 7#ab7 ,among the ,iranian nationals adversely affected by the adjudication pause are engineers1 physicians1 biomedical researchers1 technology entrepreneurs1 academic scientists1 and other highly skilled professionals who have made substantial contributions to the ,united ,states economy1 to ,american innovation and competitiveness1 and to sectors of critical national importance including healthcare1 artificial intelligence1 technology1 and advanced manufacturing4 ,the ,united ,states has historically benefitted enormously from the talents of ,iranian-born professionals--who are among the most highly educated immigrant populations in the country--and the loss of their labor1 expertise1 and entrepreneurial activity due to the adjudication pause causes measurable harm to ,american economic output1 scientific advancement1 and national competitiveness4 7#ac7 ,the combination of armed hostilities with ,iran and the adjudication pause has created an unprecedented situation in which ,iranian nationals in the ,united ,states are simultaneously unable to return safely to their home country due to war1 unable to maintain or obtain lawful immigration status due to the ,united ,states ,government's refusal to adjudicate their applications1 and unable to work lawfully to support themselves and their families--a convergence of harms that demands targeted legislative relief4 7#ad7 ,it is in the national interest of the ,united ,states to provide temporary protection and work authorization to these individuals to prevent unjust hardship1 maintain economic productivity1 uphold the integrity of the immigration system by ensuring that individuals who comply with the law are not penalized for government-caused delays1 and to demonstrate that the ,united ,states distinguishes between the ,iranian people--many of whom oppose the ,iranian regime--and the ,government of the ,islamic ,republic of ,iran with which the ,united ,states is in conflict4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,adjudication pause ,the term adjudication pause means any suspension1 hold1 delay1 or de facto cessation of the adjudication by ,u4,s4 ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services of benefit applications filed by nationals of ,iran that was initiated on or after ,december #a1 #bjbe1 whether pursuant to executive order1 presidential proclamation1 agency policy memorandum1 or other directive4 7#b7 ,benefit application ,the term benefit application means-- 7,a7 an application for change of nonimmigrant classification under section #bdh of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abeh71 for extension of stay1 or for adjustment of status under section #bde of such ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abee72 and 7,b7 an application for employment authorization or for renewal of an employment authorization document under section #bgd;,a7h77#c7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #acbd;a7h77#c77 and the regulations promulgated thereunder4 7#c7 ,eligible individual ,the term eligible individual means an individual who-- 7,a7 is a national of ,iran2 7,b7 was lawfully admitted to the ,united ,states or otherwise lawfully present2 7,c7 filed1 prior to or during the adjudication pause1 a benefit application1 that was not adjudicated due1 in whole or in part1 to the adjudication pause2 and 7,d7 has-- 7i7 a nonimmigrant status or an authorized period of stay that has expired or will expire during the period of the adjudication pause1 such that the alien's continued lawful presence depends on the pendency of the unadjudicated benefit application2 or 7ii7 an employment authorization-- 7,i7 that has expired or will expire during the period of the adjudication pause2 and 7,,ii7 with respect to which any applicable automatic extension period under section #bgd;a4#ac7;d7 of title #h1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or any successor regulation71 has expired or will expire before the adjudication pause is terminated or the benefit application is adjudicated4 7#d7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security4 #d4 ,designation of temporary protected status for eligible ,iranian nationals 7a7 ,designation ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 for the purpose of section #bdd of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abed;a71 ,iran shall be treated as if it had been designated under subsection 7b77#a77;,c7 of that section1 subject to the provisions of this section4 7b7 ,duration 7#a7 ,in general ,the initial designation under subsection 7a7 shall be in effect for a period of #ah months beginning on the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#b7 ,extension ,the ,secretary shall extend the designation under subsection 7a7 for additional periods of #f months each if the ,secretary determines1 at least #fj days before the end of the current designation period1 that-- 7,a7 the adjudication pause remains in effect1 in whole or in part2 or 7,b7 the conditions that gave rise to the adjudication pause continue to exist such that eligible individuals cannot reasonably expect timely adjudication of their pending applications4 7#c7 ,mandatory extension ,if the ,secretary fails to make the determination described in paragraph 7#b7 at least #fj days before the end of the current designation period1 the designation shall be automatically extended for #f months4 7c7 ,scope ,the designation under this section shall apply exclusively to eligible individuals4 ,nothing in this section shall be construed to create a designation for all nationals of ,iran4 #e4 ,eligibility and application 7a7 ,eligibility individuals ,an alien may be granted temporary protected status in accordance with this ,act if the alien-- 7#a7 is an eligible individual2 7#b7 is physically present in the ,united ,states on the date of enactment of this ,act2 7#c7 has been continuously physically present in the ,united ,states since ,december #b1 #bjbe2 7#d7 is not inadmissible under section #bab7;a7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahb7;a772 7#e7 has not been convicted of any felony or #b or more misdemeanors committed in the ,united ,states2 7#f7 is not described in section #bjh7;b77#b77;,a7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaeh7;b77#b77;,a77 7relating to persecution of others1 conviction of particularly serious crimes1 commission of serious nonpolitical crimes1 or danger to the security of the ,united ,states72 and 7#g7 is not an alien whom the adjudicating officer or the ,secretary knows or has reasonable grounds to believe-- 7,a7 is or has been an official or agent of the ,government of the ,islamic ,republic of ,iran1 the ,islamic ,revolutionary ,guard ,corps1 or any entity owned or controlled by the foregoing1 who has been responsible for or complicit in1 or has directly or indirectly ordered1 controlled1 or otherwise directed-- 7i7 acts of corruption1 including corruption related to the extraction1 sale1 or significant diversion of natural resources or public funds2 7ii7 gross violations of internationally recognized human rights1 including torture1 extrajudicial killing1 prolonged arbitrary detention1 enforced disappearance1 or systematic repression of the rights to freedom of expression1 assembly1 or association2 or 7iii7 the provision of material support1 financing1 or significant services to the ,government of the ,islamic ,republic of ,iran1 the ,islamic ,revolutionary ,guard ,corps1 or any person or entity that is the subject of sanctions or designation under ,executive ,order #aceec1 ,executive ,order #achdf1 the ,iran ,threat ,reduction and ,syria ,human ,rights ,act of #bjab1 or any other provision of ,united ,states law relating to ,iran2 or 7,b7 is an immediate family member of an alien described in subparagraph 7,a7 who has knowingly obtained1 or who reasonably should have known that they were obtaining1 any financial benefit or other material advantage derived from the illicit activity of that alien described in subparagraph 7,a74 7b7 ,application 7#a7 ,commencement of adjudication ,not later than #cj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall commence the adjudication of applications for temporary protected status filed in accordance with this ,act4 7#b7 ,timing of adjudications ,the ,secretary shall adjudicate any application filed in accordance with this ,act not later than #ij days after receipt of such application4 7#c7 ,fee ,the fee for an application filed in accordance with this section shall not exceed the fee charged for an application for temporary protected status under section #bdd of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abed;a74 7c7 ,waiver of grounds of ineligibility ,in determining an alien's eligibility under this section1 the ,secretary may waive any ground of ineligibility under subsection 7a74 #f4 ,employment authorization 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall authorize an alien granted temporary protected status under section #bdd of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abed;a7 in accordance with this ,act to engage in employment in the ,united ,states and shall provide such alien with an employment authorization document4 7b7 ,timing 7#a7 ,interim employment authorization ,not later than #cj days after an eligible individual files an application for temporary protected status1 the ,secretary shall issue an interim employment authorization document valid for a period of #ahj days1 unless the ,secretary determines within such #cj-;day period that the applicant is ineligible4 7#b7 ,final employment authorization ,upon granting temporary protected status1 the ,secretary shall issue an employment authorization document valid for the duration of the designation under section #d4 7c7 ,automatic extension of existing ,,ead ,for any eligible individual who has a pending benefit application for an employment authorization that is subject to the adjudication pause1 the automatic extension period under section #bgd;a4#ac7;d7 of title #h1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 shall be extended for an additional period equal to the duration of the adjudication pause1 plus #ahj days4 7d7 ,no gap in work authorization ,for purposes of any ,federal or ,state law1 regulation1 or policy1 an eligible individual who is granted temporary protected status in accordance with this ,act shall be deemed to have been continuously authorized for employment from the date on which the individual's prior employment authorization expired due to the adjudication pause through the date on which employment authorization is issued under this section4 ,no employer shall be liable under section #bgd;,a of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #acbd;a7 for employing such individual during such gap period4 #g4 ,protection of pending applications and status 7a7 ,no prejudice ,the filing for1 receipt of1 or grant of temporary protected status in accordance with this ,act shall not-- 7#a7 be considered a negative factor or adverse evidence in the adjudication of any pending or future application for change of nonimmigrant classification1 extension of stay1 adjustment of status1 employment authorization1 or any other immigration benefit2 7#b7 constitute an abandonment of any pending application for any immigration benefit2 7#c7 affect the priority date1 processing date1 or queue position of any pending application2 or 7#d7 be used as a basis for initiating removal proceedings or for any enforcement action4 7b7 ,protection against unlawful presence ,no period during which an eligible individual has temporary protected status under this ,act1 or during which the individual's application for such status is pending1 shall be considered a period of unlawful presence under section #bab7;a77#i77;,b7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahb7;a77#i77;,b774 7c7 ,protection against accrual during pause ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 no period during which an eligible individual's application was pending and subject to the adjudication pause shall be considered a period of unlawful presence for purposes of any provision of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act1 regardless of whether the individual is granted temporary protected status under this ,act4 7d7 ,travel authorization ,the ,secretary shall establish a process by which individuals granted temporary protected status in accordance with this ,act may apply for advance parole for travel outside the ,united ,states4 ,such travel shall not constitute an abandonment of any pending application for change of status1 adjustment of status1 or other immigration benefit4 #h4 ,reporting ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and every #ij days thereafter until all applications subject to the adjudication pause have been adjudicated1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on the ,judiciary of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on the ,judiciary of the ,senate a report that includes-- 7#a7 the total number of applications subject to the adjudication pause1 disaggregated by application type2 7#b7 the number of applications adjudicated during the reporting period2 7#c7 the number of adjudication applications approved1 denied1 and pending2 7#d7 the average processing time for adjudicated applications2 7#e7 the total number of applications for temporary protected status filed in accordance with this ,act during the reporting period1 and the cumulative total since the date of enactment2 7#f7 the number of applications for temporary protected status approved during the reporting period1 and the cumulative total since the date of enactment2 and 7#g7 the number of applications for temporary protected status denied during the reporting period1 disaggregated by the basis for denial1 including the number denied on national security grounds under section #e7;a77#f71 the number denied on public safety grounds under section #e7;a77#e71 and the number denied on all other grounds1 together with a description of the categories of such other grounds4 #i4 ,rulemaking 7a7 ,interim final rule ,not later than #cj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall publish an interim final rule implementing this ,act1 which shall take effect immediately upon publication4 7b7 ,final rule ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall publish a final rule implementing this ,act after providing an opportunity for public comment on the interim final rule4