Argentina Delegation Forced to Turn Right Around After Noem Delays Visa
AP Photo/Jack Dura, File
A “lack of communication” between Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other administration officials led to a visa waiver agreement with Argentina to be put on pause while officials were already en route to Washington, D.C., according to a new report.
A delegation from Argentina was en route to Washington, D.C. when they were “blindsided” by a visa agreement being paused, Axios reported on Thursday, citing multiple people familiar with the situation.
The outlet reported that the last-minute change was due to a “lack of communication” about the agreement between Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles reportedly wrote a memo informing officials they need authorization to finalize such agreements.
In July, Noem sent out a press release announcing Argentina’s “reentry to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).”
The VWP allows citizens from other countries to visit the United States for up to 90 days without a visa. Argentina was removed from the program in 2002.
Part of the deal of getting back into the program was an agreement to use more products from the United States and to stop using computer systems made in China, Axios reported.
“Under President Javier Milei’s leadership, Argentina is becoming an even stronger friend to the United States — more committed than ever to border security for both of our nations,” Noem wrote.
DHS said in a statement that there is currently no agreement with Argentina, but they “look forward” to working with them.
Rubio reportedly has concerns about Argentina’s government and corruption allegations surrounding its current administration.
The concerns, however, were apparently not communicated as Juan Pazo, the head of Argentina’s tax and customs agency, was part of a delegation headed to D.C. from Buenos Aires for what they thought would be a Monday visa signing ceremony.
Once in Miami, the delegation was told to turn around as Homeland Security was busy working to get a final signature on the agreement.
“Let’s just say this was not a great look from us,” a senior Trump official told Axios. “It’s embarrassing.”
