Kristi Noem's arrival in Buenos Aires reflected the deep complexities of Argentina's relationship with Washington . Between horseback riding in Campo de Mayo and a ceremonial barbecue, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security signed agreements that extend bilateral cooperation to sensitive areas: from the possible return to the Visa Waiver Program to electronic nationality verification for deportations.

The meeting with Javier Milei at the Casa Rosada had the solemnity of those celebrating a strategic convergence. Noem praised the low rate of Argentines overstaying their visas in the U.S., while the local government presented the eventual exemption as a diplomatic triumph.

However, the supplementary documents—which will allow for the exchange of criminal records and biometric data—raise questions about the limits of this partnership . 

Noem's image added layers of controversy. Known for her anti-immigrant stance during the Trump administration, her visit coincided with protests in Los Angeles against mass deportations . That Argentina would sign migration agreements with an architect of those policies, while maintaining its claim to the Malvinas with a key ally of London, has not gone unnoticed.

The contrast between form and substance was evident at Campo de Mayo. While the media detailed the menu of flank steak, offal, and pork brisket— " asado criollo, a dish consisting of grilling red meat over a slow fire over wood or charcoal," La Nación described with unusual genuflection —officials were finalizing the terms for US access to local records. A duality that reflects a relationship where gestures of courtesy often mask unequal negotiations. 

Official photos show smiles and handshakes, but behind those gestures were signed documents that could alter the bilateral relationship. The most notable was the declaration of intent for Argentina to return to the Visa Waiver Program, from which it had been excluded in 2002. A tempting nod for a government eager for international recognition, even if the process is lengthy and fraught with conditions.

Noem didn't hide her satisfaction. She emphasized that Argentina has the lowest rate of overstays in the region—people who enter the U.S. and stay longer than permitted—and praised Milei's "leadership" on border security . But between the lines, the message was different: the relaxation for Argentine travelers will depend on the country meeting the standards required by Washington. And that's where the other, less publicized but more sensitive agreements come into play.

One of them facilitates the exchange of criminal records between the two countries. Another, dubbed the Electronic Nationality Verification Program, will allow for the faster identification of undocumented Argentine citizens in the United States, speeding up potential deportations . For the government, this is a technical collaboration between allied nations. The implication is that it represents yet another step in subordinating local immigration policy to the interests of an administration that has made the persecution of undocumented immigrants its flagship.

The contrast between the diplomatic pomp and the substantive nature of these pacts was evident during the visit to Campo de Mayo. While Noem toured the facilities on horseback, escorted by Bullrich and Wertheim, and enjoyed a gaucho lunch, the technical teams finalized details regarding access to Argentine databases. An image that summarizes the two sides of this relationship: superficial frivolity and deep strategic compromises.

Noem is no ordinary official. Her record as governor of South Dakota—where she dismissed health measures during the pandemic—and her current role as a driving force behind mass deportations in the US make her a symbol of the most intransigent Trumpist right . Her Latin American tour, which has already included stops in El Salvador and Mexico, has a clear objective: to export this security model. The fact that Argentina was a key stop on that tour speaks volumes about the direction Milei is setting for her foreign policy.

To what extent these agreements benefit Argentina beyond the rhetoric of a strategic alliance remains a mystery. The possible return to the visa waiver program is undoubtedly positive news for the wealthy tourism and business sectors. But the price seems high: adapting immigration and security policy to the designs of a power that, paradoxically, remains the United Kingdom's main partner in the Malvinas conflict. 

In the end, Noem's visit resulted in more than just a press release and barbecue photos. It exposed the delicate equation the Argentine government is trying to resolve: definitively align itself with Washington, even if it means losing sight of national interests.

For now, the steaks are cooked to perfection. The outstanding bills, however, remain burning hot.