Cotton Introduces Bill to Enforce Stricter Asylum Standards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
December 16, 2025

Cotton Introduces Bill to Enforce Stricter Asylum Standards

Washington, DC — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced legislation to close loopholes in the current asylum process. The Asylum Reform & Loophole Closure Act will enforce stricter standards for asylum seekers entering the United States, including making illegal migrants permanently ineligible for asylum and enforcing the one-year filing deadline.

“Too often asylum seekers are abusing our process by staying here indefinitely draining Arkansas taxpayer’s dollars. My bill will enforce stricter standards by closing loopholes that are frequently exploited,” said Senator Cotton.

Text of the bill can be found here.

The Asylum Reform & Loophole Closure Act would:

• Implement a stricter standard for individuals claiming asylum.
• Make any alien who commits illegal entry or visa fraud permanently ineligible for asylum.
• Enforce a one-year filing deadline for asylum with zero exceptions.
• Make any alien who transited through a country where they could have applied for asylum (Mexico, Costo Rica, etc.) ineligible for asylum in the U.S. unless they actually applied and were denied.

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