This bill designates Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), allowing Afghan nationals currently in the United States to apply for a special immigration status that provides protection from deportation and work authorization. The designation would be effective from the date the bill becomes law through July 1, 2029, and Afghan nationals must have been continuously physically present in the U.S. since the bill's enactment to qualify. The Department of Homeland Security is required to process and decide on applications within 90 days, though this timeline can be extended by up to 150 days if additional national security vetting is needed. The bill also allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive application fees for eligible Afghan applicants and permits them to travel abroad temporarily in emergency situations while maintaining their protected status. This legislation was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators in August 2026.