Milei’s government tightens immigration law in Argentina, stricter entry conditions and easier Deportations.
Javier Milei’s government is preparing a legislative reform aimed at toughening entry conditions for foreigners and facilitating deportations.
This proposal, still under discussion, seeks to impose stricter requirements, such as mandatory sworn health declarations, and to limit free access to public services like university education and healthcare for non-residents.
The Goal? To protect Argentine taxpayers’ resources and put an end to what the administration calls «medical tourism» and abuses of the system.
Healthcare and Education: Universal rights or restricted privileges?
One of the most controversial aspects of the reform is the restriction of free access to public healthcare and university education for non-resident foreigners.
Currently, Argentina’s Immigration Law 25.871 guarantees immigrants the same rights as nationals regarding social services. However, the government plans to require sworn declarations in which foreigners commit not to use public healthcare except in emergencies.
Regarding education, the focus is on public universities, which are renowned in the region for their free and high-quality education. The proposal suggests that non-residents should pay tuition fees—a measure that, according to presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni, could become “a source of funding for educational institutions.”
Official data indicates that one in three medical students in Argentina is a foreigner, a fact the government uses to justify this policy shift.
Faster deportations and stricter border controls.
Another key aspect of the reform is expediting deportations. The government seeks to lower legal requirements for expelling foreigners who commit crimes, especially those related to drug trafficking, smuggling, or public order disturbances.
Immediate expulsion is also planned for individuals caught in the act of committing a crime or using false documentation, with a ban on re-entry. Additionally, provinces like Salta and Mendoza have already implemented similar measures by charging non-residents for medical care, signaling regional support for this hardline approach.
Border controls will also be reinforced. The administration has launched bidding processes to install new radars and modernize immigration checkpoints to curb illegal entries and combat drug and goods trafficking.
This approach mirrors the immigration policies of Donald Trump in the United States—a comparison that Milei does not shy away from, given his ideological alignment with the former president.
The project, led by Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona, still needs congressional approval, where a heated debate is expected. The exact submission date is not yet defined, but sources from the Casa Rosada assure it will be «as soon as possible.»
If passed, Argentina could join the global trend of tightening immigration policies, aligning with nations that prioritize sovereignty over unrestricted openness.
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