The government of Javier Milei is driving a drastic change in the Immigration policy The law, which came into force in Argentina in recent decades, aims to tighten controls on the entry of foreigners and reverse years of indiscriminate opening and lack of tools to combat the entry and actions of foreigners transnational crime. In recent weeks, senior Casa Rosada officials have made progress in shaping Casa Rosada’s structure, powers, and goals National Migration Agencywhich, as confirmed InfobaeChairs Diego Valenzuelaa leader linked to Patricia Bullrich, who is on leave as mayor of Tres de Febrero and senator of Buenos Aires.
The decision has already been made, but not yet formalized. The appointment of Valenzuela requires the final signature of President Milei and the establishment of the rules of application that provide the agency with a legal and operational framework. The government acknowledges that the announcement will only be made once the system is fully closed: Mission, authority, organizational chart and coordination with security forces.
This is not a routine procedure. The creation of the National Migration Agency represents a structural change that redefines the role of the state in a sensitive issue with political implications.
Until now, Migrations It functioned as a national directorate of the Ministry of Interior, whose administrative powers focused on the granting of residence permits, citizenship procedures and immigration control. According to the current ruling party, this model was associated with a policy of lax borders and few controls.
The new design aims to turn migrations into one national agency with greater autonomy, judicial power and expanded powers beyond documentary control. This change means the transition from an administrative profile to one with a leading role in the national security, border control and prevention of transnational crime.
The course was set when Milei transferred the area from the Ministry of the Interior to the Ministry of Securitywho directs Alejandra Monteoliva. At Casa Rosada they explain that the movement cannot be understood outside of the government’s general strategy. “It reflects the culture war: labor, tax and immigration reform,” they emphasize in those close to the president.
The selection of Diego Valenzuela It has an obvious political charge. Experienced mayor, former PRO, one of the first to join Advances in freedom and Bullrich’s trusted man, Valenzuela, embodies the profile chosen to lead a phase of confrontation with the previous approach. His landing will be an internal signal that consolidates the weight of the space associated with Bullrich in internal and external security and anticipates the political leadership of an organization that abandons the technical and moves to the center of the debate.
Valenzuela, which has ambitions in Buenos Aires province, is gaining nationwide visibility in a priority agenda for Milei.
The tightening of immigration policy is explicitly in contrast to Kirchnerism and the Plan Patria Grande, a program created through the efforts of Nestor and Cristina Kirchner. This plan enabled the massive legalization of foreigners, broad admissions, minimal background checks, and strict restrictions on immediate expulsion of those who have committed crimes. According to the ruling party, this system means that the state lacks effective tools to prevent the entry of people with criminal records and to take quick action against crimes committed by foreigners. “The opening was chosen without sufficient controls and the borders are visible,” says people close to Milei.
The current paradigm is looking reverse this approach: more border controls, stricter entry criteria and greater state capacity to respond to risk situations. “We will not allow criminals to enter the country, regardless of their country of origin,” emphasizes the government.
The agency will leave a clear imprint Securityoperational cooperation with federal forces and creation of a more dynamic coordination scheme. A central point will be the allocation of the Airport Security Police (PSA)central force at airports and international crossings. The recent appointment of Carlos Tonelli Banfi As Alfredo Gallardo’s successor at the head of the PSA, he is part of this integration process.
Until now, the system worked in a fragmented manner: the migration staff were dependent on the Ministry of the Interior and needed security forces in the event of irregularities. The new model is looking Integrate functions and shorten timelines in the government response. “In the United States and many other countries there is a police state for immigration personnel. That is the direction they are pointing,” government sources say.
The Argentine turnaround is part of a global trend Hardening of immigration. USAunder the presidency of Donald Trump, made border control a central axis of his policy. The creation of Ministry of Homeland Security After 9/11, migration became a national security issue. Authorities such as the Border Patrol operate under this umbrella, which are responsible for both territorial control and the fight against cross-border crime.
Europe followed a similar path, driven by Increase in migration flows and advance of organized crime. Milei’s government proposes to adapt Argentina to these international parameters, thereby distancing itself from the model that prevailed during Kirchnerism.
Despite the political decision, open definitions still exist. The final structure, internal organizational chart, specific competencies and inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms are currently being drawn up under the supervision of the General Secretariat of the Presidencyresponsible for translating the guidelines into concrete regulations. For this reason, Valenzuela’s appointment remains unofficial. The executive prefers to close all tables before formalizing and avoids it partial or improvised announcements in a matter that is considered strategic.
The ultimate acceptance of Diego Valenzuela at the head of the National Migration Authority summarizes the path chosen by the government: from an administrative policy and full openness to a national security approach with increased controls and adaptation to international changes. The cultural struggle of Milei This added migration management to one of its main topics.
Once the President signs the designation, Argentina will bring about an institutional change that will fundamentally transform border management and the entry of foreigners. The political message is already installed. All that remains is the formal step towards implementation.
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