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EXCLUSIVE: A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is urging the Department of Homeland Security to revoke Chile’s participation in the Visa Waiver Program due to a troubling surge in gang-related burglaries. Representatives Young Kim, Derek Tran, Dave Min, and Mike Levin have expressed serious concerns over the safety risks posed by South American Theft Groups that predominantly hail from Chile.
The lawmakers sent an official letter to DHS, advocating for the removal of Chile from the visa waiver list until significant measures are implemented to halt the criminal activities. This program permits citizens of certain countries to enter the U.S. for up to three months without needing a visa.
According to the letter, which was obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital, the Visa Waiver Program is being manipulated by these gangs. They characteristically engage in what has been termed ‘burglary tourism,’ where eligible individuals enter the U.S. specifically to commit residential and business thefts before returning home.
“We are alarmed that the Visa Waiver Program continues to be exploited by South American Theft Groups, the majority of which come from Chile,” the letter states. “In addition to impacting family communities, these gangs victimize local businesses and place a considerable strain on police resources, which are already stretched thin.”
Recent statistics point to an unsettling increase in these offenses. In 2024, 59 residential burglaries occurred in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Southeast Patrol Area that were believed to be linked to these gangs. The lawmakers insist immediate action is essential to protect the safety and security of the community.
The phenomenon of ‘burglary tourism’ is not limited to Orange County; it has spread to affluent neighborhoods across the United States, including areas in Scottsdale, Arizona. Prominent individuals, such as Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, have also fallen victim to these home invasions.
A previous appeal from Kim, Levin, and Representative Lou Correa in June 2023 similarly urged the Biden administration to take action against the escalating threat posed by these gangs. They highlighted that these groups frequently sell stolen goods online and engage in money laundering operations coordinated with Chinese criminal syndicates.
Last month, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer also called for Chile to forfeit its visa waiver privileges. He made this statement during an appearance on Fox & Friends, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention.
Spitzer noted, “Every other South American country that has participated in the past has been expelled from the program for sending their criminals to the United States.” His comments further underline the gravity of the situation.
The trafficking of crime extends beyond Chile, as gangs from other South American countries, like Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, are facing closer scrutiny. Under the previous administration, many of these organizations were classified as foreign terrorist entities.
“These Chileans have been coming here for years,
