Latin American leaders tighten immigration policies

Several Latin American nations are tightening immigration policies, mirroring the approach taken by U.S. President Donald Trump since the start of his second term in January 2025. Argentina, Chile, and Colombia have all implemented stricter measures within a three-month period, driven by a growing conservative movement in the region.

In Chile, President José Antonio Kast announced a plan to encourage undocumented immigrants to return to their home countries voluntarily. Kast stated that such individuals would be permitted to re-enter the country through official channels in the future, rather than through unofficial means. Other regional measures include prohibiting entry to foreigners deemed to promote hostile messages and conducting police operations to deport undocumented migrants.