US lawmakers have asked DHS to strip Chile from the visa waiver program over thieving gangs
A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Reps. Young Kim, Derek Tran, Dave Min, and Mike Levin of California, have urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remove Chile from the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) due to concerns about a major gang burglary risk. The VWP allows citizens from certain countries to visit the U.S. for up to three months without a visa, and the lawmakers believe that steps need to be taken to prevent people from committing robberies in the country.
In a letter exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital, the lawmakers expressed their worries about the exploitation of the VWP by South American Theft Groups (SATG), with a majority originating from Chile. This phenomenon, known as “burglary tourism,” involves individuals traveling to the U.S. through the VWP with the intention of committing residential and commercial robberies before returning to their home country.
The lawmakers highlighted the impact of SATGs on local communities, specifically Orange County in California, where businesses and entrepreneurs have fallen victim to these criminal activities. They pointed out that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Southeast Patrol Area alone reported 59 residential burglaries suspected to be committed by SATGs in 2024, putting a strain on law enforcement resources.
The practice of “burglary tourism” is not limited to Orange County, as affluent areas like Scottsdale, Arizona, have also been affected. Even high-profile individuals like NFL athletes Travis Kelce and Joe Burrow have experienced theft incidents. Previous efforts to address this issue, including a letter sent by Reps. Kim, Levin, and Lou Correa in June 2023, have raised concerns about the sale of stolen goods online and money laundering through Chinese crime syndicates.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer has been vocal in calling for Chile to lose its VWP privileges, emphasizing that other South American countries have faced similar consequences for sending criminals to the U.S. He noted that Chilean criminals often target popular tourist destinations like Orlando, Florida, and Orange County, California, for burglary.
The heightened scrutiny of Southern American gangs, such as the Venezuelan group Tren de Aragua, under the Trump administration has underscored the importance of addressing the issue of foreign terrorist organizations. Despite these concerns, DHS has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
In conclusion, the bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging DHS to take immediate action to address the gang burglary risk associated with Chile’s participation in the VWP. By removing Chile from the program until effective measures are implemented, they hope to protect communities from the threat of burglary tourism and ensure the safety of residents and businesses in the U.S.
