Argentina changed its immigration law to make it easier to deport foreigners who commit crimes and to prohibit individuals with criminal records from entering the country, according to a post in the government’s official bulletin on Monday.
In Chile, a wave of recent arrivals from Haiti and Venezuela has turned immigration into a key issue in presidential elections later this year.
The measure cited “recent acts of organized crime” and noted that the percentage of foreigners in the country’s corrections system had grown in recent years, reaching 21.35% of the prison population in 2016.
Under the revamped law, foreigners who commit a “malicious” crime will be expelled from the country and prohibited from returning for at least eight years.
The law, implemented by decree and not requiring congressional approval, also restricts those who are serving sentences or have criminal records in other countries from entering Argentina.
More than three-quarters of migrants who arrived in Argentina between 2011 and 2015 came from Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru, according to Argentina’s Interior Ministry.
In comments on a local radio station, Argentine Vice President Gabriela Michetti said the measure did not change Argentina’s pro-immigration outlook, and sought to avoid any association with recent measures implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump to restrict immigration.
“One has to distinguish between measures that have to do with security, and others that make Argentina an open country, that will always be in favor of diversity,” she said, adding that the ruling coalition was “against Trump’s recent statements about immigration in the United States and the wall.”
Last week, Trump signed an executive order curtailing travel by citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries. He has also proposed building a wall along the U.S. southern border with Mexico, in part to restrict illegal crossings.
Such criticism of immigrants has rarely featured prominently in Latin American politics. But in neighboring Chile, a wave of recent arrivals from Haiti and Venezuela has turned immigration into a key issue in presidential elections later this year.
Isabel Cocker/The Santiago Times Staff MONTEVIDEO – The government of Uruguay Wednesday passed a law which will guarantee the presence of women on ballots for every single parliamentary election. The law, which was supported by […]
Isabel Cocker/The Santiago Times Staff SANTIAGO – The latest section of the “Chile Dice” study, performed by the University Alberto Hurtado, was released on Monday, detailing the attitudes of Chilean citizens towards the role of […]
BRASILIA – More than 60 Brazilian members of congress from the opposition Worker’s Party have formally changed their names, adding ‘Lula’ to their names after Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was jailed last weekend. The […]
4 Comments
130709 251587quite good post, i actually adore this web website, maintain on it 563167
538981 158003I believe one of your advertisements triggered my internet browser to resize, you may want to put that on your blacklist. 726056
966305 227792Most useful human beings toasts need to amuse and present give about the couple. Beginner audio systems previous to obnoxious throngs would be wise to remember often the valuable signal utilizing grow to be, which is to be an individuals home. finest man speech examples 274216
929991 533049Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? Im kinda paranoid about losing everything Ive worked hard on. Any suggestions? 909438
130709 251587quite good post, i actually adore this web website, maintain on it 563167
538981 158003I believe one of your advertisements triggered my internet browser to resize, you may want to put that on your blacklist. 726056
966305 227792Most useful human beings toasts need to amuse and present give about the couple. Beginner audio systems previous to obnoxious throngs would be wise to remember often the valuable signal utilizing grow to be, which is to be an individuals home. finest man speech examples 274216
929991 533049Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? Im kinda paranoid about losing everything Ive worked hard on. Any suggestions? 909438