CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

RepublicanBill · S. 3488· Senate(119-S-3488)

Asylum Reform and Loophole Closure Act

Rep. Cotton
Age: 49 years
Arkansas
Introduced
12/16/2025
Last activity
12/16/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Sponsored by
Tom Cotton
Cosponsors
None
Immigration
  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

This bill is called the Asylum Reform and Loophole Closure Act and was introduced in the Senate on December 16, 2025. It changes the rules for how people can get asylum in the United States by modifying the Immigration and Nationality Act. The bill allows both the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to make certain determinations regarding asylum eligibility. It stops people from getting asylum if they traveled through another country on their way to the U.S. and did not apply for and get denied protection there first. It also makes people permanently ineligible for asylum if they entered the U.S. illegally or used visa fraud. Finally, the bill raises the standard for establishing a credible fear of persecution and allows children to be detained with their parents for up to 180 days during removal or asylum proceedings.

Yes

  • Does this tighten control of the border?+8

    The bill significantly tightens asylum eligibility rules and increases enforcement standards, thereby enhancing border security measures.

  • Does this give the federal government more power?+5

    The bill expands the authority of federal officials like the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security regarding asylum determinations.

The opposite· 3 of 4

  • Would immigrants be better off under this?-9

    The bill heavily restricts asylum eligibility, bars individuals who entered illegally, and raises the standard for credible fear.

  • Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?-8

    The legislation restricts asylum pathways and permanently bars individuals who entered illegally or used visa fraud.

  • Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-6

    By raising the credible fear standard and restricting asylum access, the bill reduces procedural protections for asylum seekers.