Argentina to bar, expel foreigners over anti-Argentine hate speech
Argentina will be able to deny entry to or expel foreigners who direct hate speech or incite violence against Argentines because of their nationality, or desecrate the country’s national symbols, under a decree signed by President Javier Milei.
Milei signed the emergency decree on Thursday, days after foreign celebrities criticized Argentina and its national soccer team following its loss to Spain in the World Cup final.
The decree adds the conduct as grounds for denying a foreigner entry and canceling their residency. Those whose residency is canceled may be ordered to leave within a set period or expelled, depending on the circumstances of each case.
It applies to oral or written messages directed against the Argentine people as a whole or against an individual because of their Argentine nationality. Inciting violence, desecrating national symbols or encouraging others to commit those acts would also be grounds for removal.
The decree specifically excludes legitimate ideological dissent and political, academic or public criticism.
Milei’s office said the measure was adopted in response to recent expressions of hostility against Argentina and its citizens.
“Whoever attacks the Republic of Argentina is not welcome in our country,” the presidential office said.
One of the comments that drew the most attention came from U.S. actor Samuel L. Jackson, who called Argentina “one of the most racist countries in the world, if not the most racist” and urged Black people not to support Argentina’s team.
The Argentine government described the criticism as an “anti-Argentina” campaign, according to La Nación. Milei accused the governments of Brazil and Mexico and the U.S. Democratic Party of participating in it, claiming that “25% of the resources used” came from the Brazilian government.
The accusations came amid a diplomatic dispute between Argentina and Brazil after Milei called Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a “thief” and “convict” during an event.
Brazil subsequently recalled its ambassador in Buenos Aires for consultations and summoned Argentina’s representative in Brasília to express its objection.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
