Argentina Establishes New National Migration Agency Amidst Toughened Immigration Policies

New Migration Agency to Bolster Border Control

The government of Argentine President Javier Milei is moving forward with plans to establish a new National Migration Agency, a significant restructuring that will place immigration controls under the purview of the Ministry of Security. This new entity is set to replace the existing Directorate of Migration (Dirección Nacional de Migraciones), marking a fundamental shift in the country's approach to immigration.

Announced by then-Security Minister Patricia Bullrich in November, the agency's primary objective is to 'optimize border coordination, policing, and migration intelligence to confront transnational threats' such as organized crime and human trafficking. The government has explicitly stated that border protection is now considered a national security objective, rather than merely an administrative one. This initiative is reportedly inspired by the U.S. Border Patrol model and policies implemented by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Tougher Immigration Laws and Record Expulsions

The formation of the new agency coincides with a series of tightened immigration measures introduced by the Milei administration. A key legislative change came with Decree 366/25, published on May 29, 2025, which significantly altered Argentina's migration laws. This decree has made deportations easier and imposed restrictions on migrants' access to public health and education services.

Under the new regulations, deportation procedures are streamlined for foreigners with any criminal conviction, irrespective of sentence length. Previously, this applied only to convictions exceeding three years. Furthermore, the decree has revised the criteria for obtaining Argentine citizenship and permanent residency. Applicants must now demonstrate two years of continuous legal residence or prove a 'relevant investment' in the country, along with sufficient financial means to subsist. Foreign nationals will also be charged for state university services and public hospital care, with exceptions only for medical emergencies.

Government Rationale and Policy Continuity

The Milei government has justified these stringent measures by citing fiscal pressures from the use of public services by foreign nationals and the potential influx of deportees from other countries, particularly the U.S. Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni has openly welcomed comparisons to the immigration policies of the Trump administration, stating it was 'time to honor our history and make Argentina great again.'

The government has reported a 'record number' of foreign national expulsions and denials of entry. In December 2025, approximately 2,400 individuals were expelled, followed by around 2,300 in January 2026. With Alejandra Monteoliva, former Minister Bullrich's deputy, now taking over the Ministry of Security, the administration aims to ensure the continuity of these hardline policies.