Portrait of Javier Milei
Politician · policy
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Javier Milei on Immigration

Immigration restrictions advocate (strong)

Javier Milei's administration has adopted a restrictive stance on immigration, aiming to curtail the influx of foreign nationals into Argentina and tighten pathways to citizenship.

Milei publicly linked immigration to social disorder, asserting that immigrants were introducing "chaos and abuse" into the country. This viewpoint formed the ideological basis for concrete policy changes enacted by his government.

In May 2025, President Milei signed a decree that explicitly sought to restrict immigration laws, reflecting his broader ideological commitment to minimizing state intervention while increasing internal security and order through stricter entry criteria.

Context

Javier Milei's general political philosophy is rooted in libertarianism and minarchism, advocating for minimal state intervention except in core areas like justice and security. His position on immigration stems from this framework, where he connects uncontrolled migration to potential security issues and social disruption.

While he advocates for a highly open free market economy regarding trade and finance, his views on the free movement of people are more constrained, particularly when linked to concerns about criminality and the potential strain on public order, which he views as a legitimate area for state action.

Actions Taken

  1. Legislation
    Signed a decree to tighten immigration laws, restricting the path to citizenship for foreign nationals.
  2. Legislation
    The decree ordered that foreign nationals must reside two years without interruption in Argentina to seek citizenship, prove sufficient income, and present a clean criminal record from their home countries.

Key Quotes

Milei said that immigrants were bringing "chaos and abuse" to Argentina.

Decree on immigration laws May 1, 2025 — The rationale given for signing the decree to tighten immigration.

Related Positions

  • Crime and Security Milei supports restrictions on immigration specifically for foreign nationals with criminal records, linking immigration policy to internal security concerns.
  • Fiscal Austerity While not directly related to immigration levels, his overall emphasis on reducing state expenditure may influence how he views the administrative and social costs associated with high immigration rates.

Comparison

Javier Milei's immigration policies have been explicitly compared to those implemented by other right-wing leaders internationally.

  • The administration's move was likened by the opposition to Donald Trump's similar immigration policies in the United States, suggesting a shared ideological approach to border and residency controls.
  • Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni stated that Milei's decree "honors history to Make Argentina Great Again," drawing a parallel to the slogan associated with the Trump administration.
Sources1

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.