Here’s a breakdown of the facts provided, focusing on the key points and connections:
Key Event:
Kristi Noem, the former governor of South Dakota, is visiting Argentina. She is known for her restrictive immigration policies and strong stance on border control.Context of the Visit:
Noem’s visit is significant as she is the fourth high-ranking US official to meet wiht Argentine President Javier Milei. This highlights a strengthening relationship between the two administrations.
The visit comes after a postponement of an expected trip by Argentina’s Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich. This postponement was due to the death of Pope Francis and Argentina’s participation in his funeral.
The visit also follows other high-level engagements between the US and Argentina:
Scott betting (Secretary of the Treasury)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Secretary of Health)
Alvin Holsey (Head of the South Command)
Argentine ministers Gerardo Werthein (Foreign Affairs) and Luis Petri (Interior) have also visited Washington for meetings.
Connection between Noem and Milei:
Their connection began in April of the current year at the American Patriots gala in Florida. Both were honored at this event, hosted at Trump’s residence.
Kristi Noem’s Background and Stance:
Governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025.
Gained national notoriety during the COVID-19 pandemic for opposing mask mandates, quarantines, and vaccines. This aligns with former President Trump’s positions.
Earned the nickname “The Migrants” due to her combative style on immigration.
Actively disseminates videos on social media criticizing foreign immigration to the US,notably from Latin America. She has made controversial statements like, “We are taking out the garbage from these streets.”
Visa Exemption Program (VWP):
The text mentions the US Visa Exemption Program (VWP). This program allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the US for tourism or business without a visa.
Not all countries participate in the VWP.
A list of participating countries is provided: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and switzerland.
Citizens of VWP countries need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before embarking on their trip to the US.
Ancient Context (Mentioned Briefly):
the text briefly mentions a program that was in place in 1996 and 2002 but was eliminated by President george Bush in 2001 due to an economic crisis. The specific program is not explicitly named in relation to the current context, but it suggests a history of US immigration policy changes.
the article highlights the visit of Kristi Noem to Argentina, emphasizing her strong anti-immigration stance and her connection with President Milei.It also provides context on other high-level US-Argentina interactions and briefly touches upon the US Visa Exemption Program.
