The Argentine government has issued a Decree of Necessity and Urgency aimed at achieving greater "efficiency" in the process of expelling from the country individuals who, according to the new established requirements, would not be considered refugees. The main rationale for this modification lies in the number of migrant applications that do not meet the legal definition of a refugee and the bureaucratic obstacles that delay the procedures for those who truly need the protection of the Argentine state.
According to the decree, the Argentine legal system has been strengthened with laws that allow for the freezing of assets related to terrorist activities, such as Law 26.735 and the Public Register of Persons and Entities Linked to Acts of Terrorism and its Financing. Furthermore, the country’s responsibility, as a member of international organizations against money laundering and terrorism, to implement measures to prevent these illicit activities is emphasized.
The need to link asylum seekers to the possibility of being involved in terrorist activities is raised, referencing past attacks in Argentina. This suggests a direct association between those seeking protection and potential terrorist threats, which has generated controversy and concern among critical sectors.
On the other hand, the Milei government has modified the General Law on Recognition and Protection of Refugees, redefining the criteria for granting or revoking refugee status. Additionally, the president has been granted the authority to include those he considers terrorists in a register, justifying this measure based on past attacks in the country.
These legal actions aim to equip the government with tools to confront potential threats to its policies and to expel from the territory those it considers a potential interference in its management objectives. The community and human rights organizations have expressed concern about the impact of these measures on access to refuge and the rights of migrants in Argentina.
