Milei orders immigration crackdown to ‘make Argentina great again’
New order tightens rules for residency and citizenship, and makes it easier to eject foreigners who break the law
Argentina’s right-wing President Javier Milei issued a decree on Wednesday curbing immigration to the South American nation, a move coinciding with the immigration restrictions put in place by the Trump administration.
Milei’s abrupt measures and declaration that newcomers were bringing “chaos and abuse” to Argentina – a country built by millions of immigrants that has long prided itself on its openness – drew criticism from his political opponents and prompted comparisons to US President Donald Trump.
Milei’s government welcomed those comparisons to its close American ally, with presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni saying it was “time to honour our history and make Argentina great again”.
Wednesday’s executive order tightens restrictions on citizenship, requiring immigrants to spend two uninterrupted years in Argentina or make a significant financial investment in the country to secure an Argentine passport.
Immigrants seeking permanent residency must show proof of income or “sufficient means” and have clean criminal records in their home countries.
The decree makes it much easier for the government to deport migrants who enter the country illegally, falsify their immigration documents or commit minor crimes in Argentina. Previously, authorities could only expel or deny entry to a foreigner with a conviction of more than three years.