Alaska committee reports out resolution urging expanded evacuations, faster processing for Special Immigrant Visa applicants

The House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs reported House Joint Resolution 13 out of committee as amended on April 29, 2025, urging the president and the U.S. Department of State to expand evacuation efforts for applicants with approved Special Immigrant Visas and to provide a congressional report on efforts to reinstate evacuation flights.

The resolution, a second hearing of HJR 13, asks the president to expand evacuation efforts for applicants with approved Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), urges the Department of State to secure legal protections and humanitarian assistance for SIV applicants, and requests that the U.S. secretary of state provide a report to Congress on efforts to reinstate evacuation flights organized by the coordinator for Afghan relocation efforts. Representative Gray moved and the committee adopted an amendment labeled I0.2 that, as described in committee, urges faster processing of SIV applications.

"As of June, the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security estimate over 130,000 pending special immigrant visas," Representative Gray said during debate. He added the figure likely understates the total and argued the federal system needs more staff: "We need to be hiring more people to work there. . . . They've got a 30,000 to get through. That's what this amendment does." The sponsor's office signaled the amendment was friendly; Henry Thompson, a legislative staff member, said he had spoken with the sponsor and called it "a friendly amendment" aimed at reducing SIV processing times.

After adopting the amendment by voice consent, the committee moved to report HJR 13 out of committee "as amended with individual recommendations and accompanied [by a] 0 fiscal note." The motion carried by voice consent with no recorded roll-call vote. Committee Chair Representative Isheide asked members to remain after adjournment to sign the committee report.

Committee members present at the short session included Representative Ayesha Isheide (chair), Representative Gray, Representative Hall and Representative Fields. Staff and support mentioned during the meeting included Veil Brown of House Records, Zach Lawhorn of the Juneau LIO, and committee staffer Sophie Weiser. The committee announced it will meet Thursday at 10:15 a.m. to hear House Bill 158 on professional licensing and temporary licenses.

The resolution does not itself change federal policy; it is a formal expression of the Alaska House committee urging federal action and requesting a report to Congress. The committee record notes this was the second hearing on HJR 13 and that one sponsor amendment (I0.2) was adopted. No roll-call votes were taken in committee on April 29.