S. 3310: Afghanistan Vetting and Accountability Act of 2025

The Afghanistan Vetting and Accountability Act of 2025 is legislation aimed at enhancing the vetting process for individuals who were evacuated from Afghanistan to the United States between January 20, 2021, and January 20, 2022. The bill establishes specific requirements regarding the verification of personal and biometric information for these individuals, as well as mandates for in-person interviews.

Key Provisions

Definitions

The bill begins by defining several key terms:

• Federal means-tested public benefit: Refers to any federal program that provides assistance based on the individual's financial need.
• Individual evacuated from Afghanistan: Any person who was evacuated from Afghanistan as part of U.S. operations, excluding U.S. citizens and military personnel.
• Secretary: The Secretary of Homeland Security, responsible for implementing the legislation.
• Unemployment compensation: Financial aid provided to individuals who are unemployed and meet certain criteria.

Verification and Vetting Requirements

The bill outlines a comprehensive approach to verification and vetting:

• The Secretary of Homeland Security is responsible for verifying personal and biometric information for each individual evacuated from Afghanistan.
• A database must be created to store various types of information for each individual, including:
• Personal details such as name and date of birth.
• Biometric data.
• Criminal records since their entry into the U.S.
• Any benefits claimed or received, including unemployment compensation.
• Status of the vetting process, indicating whether an in-person vetting has taken place.

Reporting Requirements

The Secretary must submit quarterly reports to Congress detailing compliance with the vetting requirements, including:

• A list of all individuals evacuated from Afghanistan.
• The vetting status of each individual.
• Information on any benefits they have received.
• Any criminal records available.
• The estimated time remaining to complete the verification process for all individuals.

Certification and Auditing

After completing the verification and vetting, the Secretary is required to inform Congress within 30 days. Additionally:

• The Comptroller General will conduct audits to ensure compliance with the bill. These audits will occur within certain time frames after the Act is enacted and after the completion of the vetting certification.
• Results from these audits must be reported to Congress within 30 days of their completion.

Restrictions on Federal Assistance

Individuals who fail to provide the required personal and biometric information or do not undergo in-person vetting will not be eligible for:

• Unemployment compensation.
• Any federal means-tested public benefits.

Overall Impact

This bill seeks to ensure thorough vetting and accountability for Afghan evacuees by mandating stringent processes for information verification, reporting, and eligibility for federal assistance.

Relevant Companies

• None found