Argentine President Javier Milei has issued an emergency decree barring foreigners who are deemed to have spread or incited hate against the country or its people. The measure, already in effect but requiring parliamentary approval to become permanent law, aims to address what Milei described as a “sinister campaign” targeting Argentina.

In a statement, Milei framed the decree as a response to “recent displays of hostility against the Argentine republic and Argentines,” which observers linked to public backlash following Argentina’s loss to Spain in the recent World Cup final. The decree followed Milei’s earlier remarks accusing leftist governments across the Americas of conducting an “anti-Argentine campaign.”

The decree emphasizes that it will not infringe upon constitutionally guaranteed rights related to political, academic, or ideological expression. However, the lack of clear definitions for what constitutes “hate speech,” as well as the mechanisms for identifying those responsible, has raised legal concerns. Lucia Galoppo, an international law expert at the Centre for Legal and Social Studies, warned that the decree “leaves too many grey areas” regarding enforcement.

Opposition parties have criticized the move sharply. Leonel Chirarella, president of the centrist Radical Civic Union party, described the decree as unconstitutional and called on Congress to explicitly reject it. Agustin Rossi, a lawmaker from the opposition, likened the decree to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies, warning that it could serve a similar political function.

The decree is subject to review by a legislative committee to assess its urgency, after which it will be debated and voted upon by both houses of the Argentine Congress. It would only be overturned if both chambers reject it.

Argentina has a historically open immigration policy, which sociologist Ivan Schilqualquer noted is enshrined in one of the world’s most permissive constitutions on immigration issues. “Argentine history is very rich in the sense of being a country that has historically received immigrants from everywhere,” he said. Schilqualquer suggested that Milei is leveraging social tensions, rather than extending a core policy position, stating, “We are not anti-immigrant,” and that the president "is taking advantage of a climate in society to capitalise on something that, generally speaking, has not been part of his political project.”

The decree appears to be closely linked to heightened national sensitivities following Argentina’s World Cup defeat and the reactions that ensued.