Milei closes borders to those who "hate" Argentina

The Argentine government has announced it will close its borders to foreigners who "express hatred toward the Argentine people," according to a decree issued by President Javier Milei. The measure, which was published in the official gazette on Thursday, July 30, 2026, states that individuals already residing in the country who demonstrate hostility toward Argentinians or their national symbols will be expelled, while those attempting to enter will be denied entry. The decision follows a wave of online attacks against Argentina during the FIFA World Cup, particularly after the national team lost the final to Spain. Milei’s administration claims the policy is a response to recent acts of hostility directed at Argentina and its citizens. The new law introduces a provision allowing authorities to revoke residency permits and order the deportation of foreign nationals based on expressions of hate or insults directed at the nation or its symbols. This includes actions such as damaging national flags or publicly denouncing Argentine identity. The decree was framed as a necessary action to protect the integrity of the state and its people. The move comes amid heightened tensions following controversial remarks made by Milei during a public appearance in São Paulo, where he insulted Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Milei accused Brazil, Mexico, and the Democratic Party in the United States of funding a so-called “anti-Argentine campaign,” though no evidence was presented to support these allegations. The accusations have drawn criticism from both political opponents and legal experts, who argue that the use of a Decree of Emergency and Urgency (DNU) to enact such sweeping immigration policies is legally questionable. A constitutional lawyer, Félix Lonigro, explained that a DNU is meant for extraordinary circumstances, such as war or economic collapse, and that using it for immigration reform represents an overreach of executive power. “This decree that the president signed is a Decree of Need and Urgency, what does that mean? It means the president is taking a decision that doesn’t belong to him, but to Congress, because there is necessity and urgency,” Lonigro told Clarín. Political opposition has also criticized the policy, with some lawmakers suggesting it could lead to widespread discrimination against immigrants. Florencia Carignano, a former head of the National Migration Directorate under former President Alberto Fernández, mocked the policy, noting that if all countries adopted similar measures, Milei would face difficulty entering several nations, including Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Vatican City, Spain, Colombia, China, and Venezuela. Ex-Minister of Defense Agustín Rossi expressed concern that the policy might enable a broader crackdown on migrants, drawing parallels to the policies implemented by former U.S. President Donald Trump. “With the excuse of this decree, the government might launch a hunt on migrants, similar to the approach taken by the Trump administration, considering that this government is trying to emulate those policies,” Rossi warned in an interview with Clarín. Legal scholars and human rights organizations have raised concerns about the potential impact of the policy on immigrant communities, arguing that it risks violating international human rights standards. Meanwhile, supporters of Milei defend the policy as a necessary step to safeguard national sovereignty and cultural identity in the face of perceived external threats. As the debate continues, the long-term implications of the policy remain uncertain.