# 119-s-3488: Asylum Reform and Loophole Closure Act

119-s-3488, Asylum Reform and Loophole Closure Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR] (R-AR); status introduced (as of 2026-08-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3488
- As of: 2026-08-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-3488
- Congress: 119
- Title: Asylum Reform and Loophole Closure Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-12-16
- Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR] (R-AR)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Immigration
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-08-11

## Summary

**Tightens asylum eligibility.** This bill would reshape who can seek asylum by adding transit-country screening requirements, raising the credible-fear standard, and creating permanent bars for unlawful or fraudulent entry. - Would limit detention of a child with a parent during expedited removal or asylum proceedings to no more than 180 days. - Would require migrants who transited other countries to show they applied for protection in each transit country and received final denials before pursuing U.S. asylum. It would also expand joint authority for asylum determinations by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security. - Would add permanent ineligibility for asylum for unlawful entry under 8 U.S.C. 1325 and for willful misrepresentation or fraudulent visas. It would also raise the "credible fear" threshold in expedited removal to "more likely than not" that the applicant would face persecution or torture if returned.

## Provisions PRIA read

- Limit family detention to 180 days: benefit, medium. This bill would limit how long a child may be detained with a parent during expedited removal or asylum proceedings. The cap would be not more than 180 days. The rule would apply during those proceedings and would take effect upon enactment.
- Tighter asylum rules and screening: cost, medium. This bill would tighten asylum eligibility and screening rules. It would raise the credible fear test in expedited removal from “there is a significant possibility” to “it is more likely than not.” It would add permanent asylum ineligibility for people who unlawfully entered or used willful misrepr…

## Related bills

- 119-s-2342: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-s-4615: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
- 119-s-2142: GOLDEN DOME Act of 2025
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act
- 119-s-2010: TERMS Act
- 119-s-292: Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-s-3488 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3488)

## Related
- [119-s-2342: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2342)
- [119-s-4615: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4615)
- [119-s-2142: GOLDEN DOME Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2142)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [119-s-2010: TERMS Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2010)
- [119-s-292: Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-292)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3488 (as of 2026-08-11).