Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem once again had a chance to dress up during her trip to Argentina, where she signed a new visa-free travel agreement.
Speaking with reporters together with Argentine officials at the Campo De Mayo military base, Noem was seated on a horse wearing a cowboy hat and belt, along with blue jeans and a black western-style jacket.
She promised to Accelerate the relaxation of visa regulations for citizens of the South American nation., whose president, Javier Milei, a budget-cutting libertarian, is a key supporter of President Donald Trump.
It is the most recent one ina lengthy sequence of fashion-related feats for the former governor of South Dakota, who at different times has worn the attire of a plumber, a welder, a builder, a highway officer, a Border Patrol agent, a firefighter, a coast guard member, and an ICE agent in tactical clothing.
The Old West seems to be a popular reference point, with Noem oncerequesting her Instagram followers to cast their vote on her finest cowgirl paintingeven as Texas faced severe flooding.
In March, she posed with heavy makeup in front of incarcerated individuals at El Salvador’s well-known CECOT prison, where Venezuelan immigrants were sent there by the Trump administrationclaim they were tortured, struck, and sexually assaulted.
The photo opportunities, along with her role as the public representative of the Trump administration’s immigration policy, have caused some critics to humorously refer to Noem as “ICE Barbie” or “Homeland Barbie” — including city officials in flood-affected Texasreportedly adopting the term.
“Under the leadership of President Javier Milei, Argentina is emerging as an even more robust ally to the United States — demonstrating a greater dedication than ever to securing the borders of both countries,” Noem stated.in a statement on Monday.
Argentina currently holds the lowest rate of visa overstays across all of Latin America, and 25 percent more Argentines visited the U.S. during the first four months of this year than in the same period last year.
“That’s why we are currently implementing measures to reintroduce Argentina into the Visa Waiver Program,” she stated.
The agreement made on Monday is merely a declaration of intent, and actually achieving visa-free travel for U.S. citizens or Argentinian nationals may still take several years.
A post on Noem’s Instagram and X accounts for National Cowboy Day on Saturday, featuring her riding alongside horse-mounted border agents, received numerous positive and enthusiastic reactions.
Other readers were not as pleased. “Spending public funds once more on a photo opportunity?” remarked an Instagram user. “Anything to wear a costume. What a laugh,” wrote another.
A user on X asked about her clothing budget, while another called her “all hat and no cattle”.
Visa exemptions enable individuals from allied countries like the U.K. and the European Union to travel to the U.S. for tourism reasons for a maximum of 90 days, without having to obtain a visa in advance.
Argentina participated in the program in 1996, but wasremoved in 2002due to concerns that a continuing economic downturn could encourage more Argentinians to seek unauthorized employment in the United States.
The nation possesses its own renowned history of cowboys, referred to asgauchos, although they typically wear different clothing than their American equivalents, opting for patterned wool ponchos and loose-fitting pants.
The Independent is the world’s most independent-minded news brand, offering international news, opinions, and analysis for those who think for themselves. We have built a large, worldwide audience of individuals who appreciate our reliable voice and dedication to promoting positive transformation. Our goal, driving change forward, has never been more crucial than it is now.
