Dirección Nacional de Migraciones

The Dirección Nacional de Migraciones is Argentina’s national immigration agency, operating under the Ministry of the Interior. It is responsible for designing and implementing national migration policy, regulating the entry, stay, and exit of foreign nationals, and issuing immigration documentation such as temporary and permanent residence visas, work permits, and the national identity document for foreigners. The agency also manages border control points, operates the Comprehensive Migration Capture System that records traveler data, and provides services to migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Its work supports public security, labor market integration, and compliance with international treaties on human rights and migration. By coordinating with provincial governments, judicial authorities, and international organizations, it ensures that migration flows are monitored and managed according to Argentine law. The Directorate also oversees the recognition of refugee status, processes asylum claims in accordance with the 1951 Refugee Convention, and administers humanitarian visas for individuals fleeing conflict or persecution. In addition, it manages the national registry of foreigners, updates migratory records, and provides guidance to employers on the legal hiring of non‑resident workers. Through outreach programs and informational campaigns, the agency seeks to promote awareness of migrants’ rights and obligations within Argentine society.

As a federal agency, the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones exercises authority across the entire national territory, maintaining offices at international airports, land border crossings, and consular representations abroad. The ransomware incident of August 27, 2020, carried out by the Netwalker group, highlighted its reliance on critical information systems, as the attack disrupted the Comprehensive Migration Capture System and temporarily suspended border operations, prompting authorities to isolate networks and restore services without paying the demanded ransom. This event underscored the agency’s role as a key operator of essential infrastructure and its responsibility to safeguard sensitive personal data of migrants and citizens. Administratively, the Directorate reports directly to the Minister of the Interior and is structured as a decentralized service with regional delegations that implement national directives locally. Its regulatory function positions it as the primary authority for immigration enforcement, policy development, and the issuance of legal residency status in Argentina. The agency’s mandate is grounded in National Migration Law 25.871, which establishes the principles of equality, non‑discrimination, and respect for human dignity in the treatment of migrants. As part of the executive branch, it receives budgetary allocations from the national government and is subject to oversight by the National Audit Office and congressional committees. Its organizational structure includes a central directorate in Buenos Aires, regional delegations in each province, and specialized units focused on documentation, border control, and international cooperation.