The Government of Javier Milei took a new step in its migration control policy and created the Migration Security Units, a kind of “Argentine ICE” that will operate within federal forces to strengthen controls, prevent crimes, and confront the advance of criminal organizations linked to irregular migration.
The measure was formalized through Resolution 551/2026 of the National Security Ministry, published in the Official Bulletin. The new scheme is part of the Migration Security Program, an initiative aimed at strengthening joint work between the National Migration Directorate and Federal Police and Security Forces.
Javier Milei alongside the Minister of Security, Alejandra Monteoliva
The new units will operate within the Argentine National Gendarmerie, the Airport Security Police, the Argentine Federal Police, and the Argentine Naval Prefecture. According to the resolution, they will have a functional role and will not imply the creation of new administrative structures, a key point in line with the Government's austerity policy.
The personnel assigned to the program will wear a “Migration Security” badge when performing specific tasks. Their mission will be to intervene in areas of migration control, maintain public order in border areas, detect and investigate migration-related crimes, assist in subsidiary control tasks, and perform functions as Auxiliary Police for Migrations.
The decision aims to organize a system that for years operated with dispersed criteria, nonexistent controls, and little operational coordination among agencies. Now, the Ministry of Security seeks to unify procedures, train personnel, and improve response capacity against irregular entries, transnational crimes, and maneuvers by criminal organizations.
Javier Milei strengthens immigration controls
The program has seven axes: training of Migration personnel; training of federal forces; improvement of prevention, detection, and investigation processes; operational coordination among agencies; creation of the Migration Security Units; modernization of equipment and infrastructure; and expansion of international cooperation.
The National Security Minister, Alejandra Monteoliva, defended the measure and stated that the goal is to strengthen migration and border policy. “Those who do not comply with the law do not enter. And if they entered under some circumstance, we will search for them and find them,” she affirmed while presenting the new approach.
