Overview

• An Argentine delegation led by customs chief Juan Pazo was told in Miami not to continue to Washington because the document was described as missing a signature, and the group returned home after two days.
• A senior DHS official said there is no new or additional Visa Waiver Program document pending signature with Argentina and added that the department looks forward to continued engagement.
• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem signed a statement of intent in July without first informing Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after which Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles issued a memo reinforcing NSC preclearance rules.
• Talks included Argentina agreeing to shift away from Chinese-made customs computer systems and software in favor of U.S. vendors, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
• Argentina’s potential readmission to the Visa Waiver Program remains under a multi-year evaluation process, and negotiations are ongoing despite the unexpected pause.