Argentina’s President Javier Milei is driving a major immigration reform inspired by the United States model, aiming to reinforce national security, reduce fiscal burdens, and restrict access to public services for non-permanent residents.

Key Provisions of the Reform

• A new migration agency will be created with enforcement powers, giving it policing authority similar to U.S. border and security institutions.

• Entry and residency rules will tighten: immigrants must prove stable income, maintain clean criminal records, and provide financial guarantees.

• Public services like healthcare and higher education will no longer be freely accessible to all non-residents — they’ll have to pay or secure private insurance.

• The pathway to citizenship will demand continuous residence or a significant financial investment.

• Deportations and expulsions will be easier for foreigners convicted of crimes, even for relatively minor offenses.

• The reform is presented as a measure to save public spending and defend the country’s financial stability, while also enhancing security.

Strategic & Political Rationale

This overhaul reflects Milei’s ideological alignment with conservative global models. By emulating U.S.-style immigration enforcement, he sends a strong signal about sovereignty, fiscal prudence, and border control.
Using executive power to enact these changes allows for rapid implementation without waiting for lengthy congressional approval. The reform also incentivizes productive immigration by favoring individuals who can contribute financially. Rather than an open-door policy, Milei offers an “order-first” model: welcoming, but disciplined.

Conclusion
Milei’s migration reform is far more than bureaucratic tweaking: it’s a strategic realignment of Argentina’s immigration law to reward economic contribution, protect the public budget, and secure national borders.