The measure authorizes immigration authorities to deny entry, revoke residency or order the removal of foreigners who incite violence or discrimination against Argentines or desecrate national symbols, while excluding constitutionally protected criticism.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Argentine President Javier Milei signed an emergency decree Wednesday authorizing the government to bar or expel foreigners who promote violence, discrimination or hostility against Argentines because of their nationality.
The Office of the President announced the measure in a brief statement late Wednesday, saying it was prompted by “recent displays of hostility toward the Argentine Republic and Argentines.”
The government described protection of the country, its citizens and its national symbols as non-negotiable.
“Anyone who attacks the Argentine Republic is not welcome in our country,” the presidential office said in its announcement.
Milei enacted the provisions through a Necessity and Urgency Decree, known in Argentina as a DNU. The mechanism is comparable to an executive order in the United States and takes effect immediately, though Congress may later ratify or reject it.
The decree amends Argentina’s immigration laws to prevent entry by foreigners who have spread “hate speech or incited violence against the Argentine people or against citizens based on their nationality.” Authorities may also remove foreigners already living in the country if they engage in the conduct covered by the order.
The restrictions extend to people who commit, participate in or encourage “acts of desecration against national symbols.”
La Nación reported that the government justified the decree by arguing that hostile acts and messages directed at Argentina, its people, culture and national identity have increased “considerably.”
According to the government, those actions create “a risk to citizens and undermine the basic respect” expected from foreigners seeking entry into or residency within Argentina. Officials said such conduct distorts the purpose of the nation’s immigration policies and weakens the conditions necessary for “harmonious coexistence and social peace.”
The decree draws a distinction between prohibited conduct and speech protected by Argentina’s Constitution. Ideological disagreement and political, academic or civic criticism may not be used as grounds for applying the new immigration provisions.
Foreign residents found to have engaged in the specified anti-Argentine conduct may have their residency permits revoked, according to La Nación. Authorities could then order them to leave voluntarily or begin formal expulsion proceedings.
The action follows several days of claims by Milei’s government that an “anti-Argentina” campaign has been operating on social media during Argentina’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Milei recently accused the leftist governments of Brazil and Mexico, along with the U.S. Democratic Party, of financing an alleged campaign against his administration ahead of the upcoming 2017 presidential elections.
The Argentine president repeated accusations about the purported campaign Saturday while attending the national convention of Brazil’s Liberal Party. During his appearance, he attacked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, calling the leftist leader a “thief,” “convict,” and “socialist trash.”
Presidential spokesperson Adrián Ravier later supported Milei’s allegations during a news conference.
“Many people hope this model will succeed so they can showcase it, but on the left, many people want this model to fail so that we don’t actually succeed,” Ravier said, according to La Nación.
“There’s a theory that the left, in some way, is orchestrating this anti-Argentina campaign to undermine the idea that the Argentine model is able to lift people out of poverty, lift people out of extreme poverty, lower inflation, and set records for production, exports, and so on. It’s all part of the game,” he added.
The decree gives immigration authorities expanded power to act against foreigners accused of promoting violence or nationality-based discrimination while formally preserving protections for peaceful political disagreement and other constitutionally protected expression.
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