Argentina’s Non-Native Population: Composition, Distribution, and Policy
The non-native population: a country’s origin composition distinguishes between native and non-native populations. Also called foreign, these populations can be considered migrants. Migration is a special form of geographical mobility; a dynamic and complex process involving the territorial movement of people from one place to another. It is generally understood as movement between two countries, not internal movements within a state.
Since the 1990s, migration has taken on new characteristics. People are more mobile and can re-migrate to countries other than those initially chosen. Advances in transportation and communication—such as email, chat, and telephone communication—facilitate numerous exchanges among family members.
Non-acceptance of foreigners leads to discrimination, exclusion, and even xenophobia in host countries. However, migration is now often valued for its contribution to development in destination countries, particularly in sectors where migrants may be more efficient than native workers.
Evolution and composition of the native population: Volume, evolution, composition, distribution, population structures, and job placement are all aspects of demographic study. Since 1869, general population censuses have registered the presence of non-native populations. The percentage increased into the early 20th century and has been declining since then. Both the amount and composition by origin have changed over the decades. Since the mid-20th century, Argentina has been characterized by a growing presence of foreign-born residents; this is compounded by the emigration of Argentines to the United States and European Union countries.
The breakdown by country of origin shows a strong and growing presence of people born in neighboring countries. This is partly explained by the effects of mortality among older adults who arrived in the early 20th century. The massive presence of undocumented migrants, “without papers,” is also a significant, though under-valued, factor.
The effects of international migration should be studied not only in terms of volume but also the qualitative changes introduced into societies of origin and destination, at both regional and microgeographical levels.
Distribution of immigrants from neighboring countries: In Argentina, 4% of the total population (923,215 people) were born in neighboring countries, while the proportion of non-neighboring immigrants decreased. Greater Buenos Aires contained 8% of the foreign population, over half of whom were born in neighboring countries—the largest concentration of foreigners in Argentina.
Patagonia is the region with the highest presence of foreigners and the highest proportion of foreign-born residents from neighboring countries. The economic integration of these communities is related to regional sectors with high demand and low-risk agriculture, tourism, fishing, etc.
All extra-Pampean regions have very high percentages of foreign-born residents from neighboring countries, although the composition of the population by country of birth varies.
Migration systems are distinguished at regional and lower levels. Each responds to forces of attraction regulated by urbanization within cities. Areas of immigrant concentration from neighboring areas are subject to national, provincial, and municipal policy management. These policies modify population distribution patterns, enable socio-spatial differentiation, and exert rejuvenating effects on the demographic structure.
Control and migration policies: Migration policies result from the implementation of legal norms. The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for their execution through the National Directorate of Migration. Policies can be classified as those concerning potential migrants, the promotion of migration, immigration control, migrant recovery, or immigrant incorporation.
Argentina’s profile tends to be restrictive and control-oriented, especially regarding permanent residency permits. Act No. 817 on immigration and settlement, passed during the presidency of Nicolás Avellaneda, advocated the slogan of Juan Bautista Alberdi, “To govern is to populate.” The General Migration Law, while encouraging immigration, is considered too restrictive. Migration Act No. 25871 emphasizes human rights principles.
Immigration law is applied by the national migration authority and has several functions, such as accounting for foreign income and expenses through more than two hundred points of international communication at border crossings. The National Directorate of Migration has a network of branches and offices to facilitate formalities for all foreigners, whether tourists, temporary workers, permanent residents, crew members, students, or artists.