Skip to main content

All bills

HR 116 cuts asylum deadlines and tightens rules for migrant children

In committeeH.R. 116Latest action

Sponsor: Andy Biggs · Representative · AZ

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record
Read the official text

Official title: Stopping Border Surges Act

119th Congress

Topics: Immigration

Introduced:

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.

HR 116 shortens the asylum application window to 6 months, limits entry to ports of entry, and speeds up hearings for unaccompanied children.

60-second read · 4 questions answered below

What does this do?

HR 116 tightens asylum rules by cutting the application deadline from one year to six months, requiring applicants to have sought asylum in transit countries first, and restricting applications to those who entered at official ports of entry. The bill also changes how unaccompanied migrant children are processed, requiring specialized interviews, faster court hearings within 14 days, and equal treatment regardless of country of origin. Sponsors receiving migrant children would have their personal information shared with immigration authorities before placement.

Who does it affect?

The bill primarily affects migrants and asylum seekers at the US border, including unaccompanied children and their potential sponsors. It also affects immigration judges, border officers, and federal agencies including Homeland Security and Health and Human Services.

Why does it matter?

People who entered between ports of entry or did not seek asylum in a transit country would be barred from applying under the new rules. Asylum seekers would wait longer for work permits, up to one year after filing, and could lose status if they return to their home country, while false claims could result in up to 10 years in prison.

AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

Make the call

Three steps: where you stand, your script, the call.

Where do you stand?

Where does it stand?

  1. IntroducedJan 3, 2025
  2. House committeeYou are here · Jan 3, 2025
  3. House vote
  4. Senate
  5. The president's desk

Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.

Latest action: — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Data as of October 9, 2026
See how a call works

Share this bill

Share on WhatsApp

How it's being covered

Coverage of this bill from across the press. Each outlet's political lean is labeled where AllSides has rated it, and marked "Not rated" where it has not.

Newest of these articles:

Coverage of this bill so far comes from one side of the spectrum. Read it with that in mind.

Lean labels describe the news outlet, not this bill or any party. Ratings by AllSides.