Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) released the following statement after President Donald Trump issued a proclamation earlier today concerning asylum for migrants illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border:

"I applaud the administration's efforts to fix our broken asylum system. Individuals with valid asylum claims should apply in their home countries or a safe third country, not by showing up at our border. We will not let anyone take advantage of America's generosity by exploiting loopholes in our immigration system. Congress should also act to codify these common-sense reforms."