BUENOS AIRES- The Argentine government announced this Tuesday the proposal for an immigration reform that proposes charging foreigners for health care and access to university education. It will also expand the list of crimes for which entry to the nation will be prevented.
“We will promote a series of modifications to the immigration regime with the purpose of moving towards an orderly country that takes care of its borders and protects its citizens,” declared presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni at a press conference from the Casa Rosada.
“Tariff payments”
According to Adorni, the reform will allow “national universities to charge fees to non-resident foreign students”, a measure that will serve as a “source of income for higher education institutions”, financing their activities with the amounts collected, he indicated.
The Argentine spokesperson also pointed out that up to a third of medical students in the country are foreigners, according to official data.
Likewise, the government reported that it plans to end free health care for foreigners. Adorni highlighted that in the province of Salta, a similar measure reduced attention to foreigners by 95% and generated savings of 60 million pesos.
According to the official, this measure will allow “better health care for the Argentine population” and will end the so-called “health tours or health tourism.”
“Prohibition of entry”
Finally, the third part of the immigration reform contemplates expanding the crimes that would justify the prohibition of entry or the expulsion of foreigners. Adorni explained that anyone caught “committing a crime or violating the democratic system” will be automatically expelled and prohibited from re-entering the country. Additionally, those who violate this prohibition will face prison sentences.
“From now on, evildoers and opportunists must stay on the other side of the border and not come to Argentina to harm those who reside in the national territory,” concluded Adorni, representing the government of Javier Milei.
