The fee is not charged to anyone with temporary or permanent residence. It is only charged to those U.S., Canadian and Australians who get a 90-day tourist visa stamp.
There is a booth for payment, cash or credit card, before you go to the immigration booth.
As I have said berfore, the US and Argentina have different realities. Comparing them in terms of visa policies is comparing apples and oranges. How many Argentines want to stay in the US over 6 months if they are not there for work? If they are rich they can find ways of legally acquiring a green card.