Key Takeaways
- Orange County DA Todd Spitzer urges the immediate suspension of Chile from the ESTA Visa Waiver Program citing rising crime trends.
- By June 2024, 14 Chilean nationals linked to crimes entered the U.S. under ESTA; Oakland County reports 100% similar cases.
- If suspended, Chileans will face a $185 visa fee, in-person interviews, and delays, mirroring Argentina’s removal in 2002.
Orange County District Attorney (DA) Todd Spitzer has called for the immediate suspension of Chile 🇨🇱 from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Visa Waiver Program, highlighting growing concerns about criminal activities linked to Chilean nationals entering the United States. In a letter sent on February 5, 2025, Spitzer urged federal authorities to take decisive action, pointing to a significant rise in crimes committed by Chilean visitors who entered the country through the program.
The ESTA Visa Waiver Program was introduced to promote seamless travel for citizens from low-risk countries traveling to the United States for business or tourism. It allows short-term visits of up to 90 days without requiring a visa. Chile joined the program in 2014 and remains the only Latin American country included. However, cracks in its implementation have emerged, with rising concerns that it is being exploited by Chilean criminal groups to orchestrate organized crimes across the U.S.
Troubling Trends in Orange County and Beyond
The issue of criminal groups exploiting the ESTA Visa Waiver Program has been particularly pressing in Orange County, California. According to DA Todd Spitzer, his office has observed a worrisome trend. By June 2024, 14 Chilean nationals had been charged in connection with burglaries and other related crimes, with all of them entering the country under the visa waiver framework. For Spitzer, this pattern of activity is not just a coincidence but an indication of a systemic flaw.
Spitzer’s concerns are mirrored by officials in other regions as well. In Michigan’s Oakland County, Sheriff Mike Bouchard has raised alarms about the program’s vulnerability to abuse. He noted that 100% of the Chilean criminals apprehended in Oakland County were found to have utilized the ESTA Visa Waiver Program to travel to the U.S., a troubling confirmation of how the program might be enabling such activities. Sheriff Bouchard further explained that these criminal groups are highly organized and trained, relying on methods like using jammers to disable security systems. Their targets are primarily high-end homes, and they often steal cash, luxury handbags, and jewelry.
Bouchard even speculated that training camps could exist in Chile 🇨🇱, specifically designed to prepare criminals for these operations. He emphasized the need for greater international collaboration to dismantle these networks.
Compliance Concerns with Chile’s Participation
For countries to maintain their eligibility under the ESTA Visa Waiver Program, they must meet strict requirements, including real-time sharing of criminal records and other background information with U.S. immigration authorities. Critics of Chile’s participation argue that the country may not be fulfilling these requirements as effectively as it should.
In a letter to Chile’s ambassador, U.S. Congressmen Lou Correa and Mike Levin voiced strong concerns about the inadequacy of background-sharing measures. They highlighted that U.S. officials might not be receiving complete information about Chilean travelers, thereby compromising public safety. Adding another layer of complexity, some critics link these lapses to Chile’s current political landscape under President Gabriel Boric, who is associated with far-left policies. According to some lawmakers, the government’s stance may contribute to reduced cooperation with U.S. law enforcement agencies.
Potential Impact of Suspending Chile’s Participation
If Chile is cut from the ESTA Visa Waiver Program, its citizens would have to shift to the traditional visa application process, a more cumbersome and rigorous pathway. This process includes completing an application, paying a $185 fee, and attending an in-person interview at a U.S. Embassy. While this step could help reduce criminal cases by allowing more thorough vetting during the visa approval process, it would also impose longer wait times and additional costs for legitimate travelers.
The historical precedent exists for such action. Argentina 🇦🇷, which joined the program in 1999, was dropped in 2002 during the George W. Bush administration due to a surge in cases of Argentine nationals attempting to misuse the program for illegal residency and employment. This earlier action demonstrates that the U.S. has been prepared to remove countries posing risks, and Chile may face the same fate if reforms are not enacted.
Bipartisan Push for Stricter Controls
The call to suspend Chile from the ESTA Visa Waiver Program has gained traction across party lines. Beyond Orange County DA Todd Spitzer’s efforts, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has also called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to consider terminating Chile’s participation. McCarthy has taken a hardline stance, asserting that if the DHS does not act, Congress will move to block funding for the program.
Separately, Representative Chip Roy has added his voice to the growing chorus, addressing letters to DHS Secretaries about Chile’s compliance issues. Roy specifically accused Chile 🇨🇱 of failing to provide essential background information on its nationals who travel to the U.S. under the visa waiver.
A phenomenon now referred to as “burglary tourism” has added a sense of urgency to these demands. The term encapsulates a troubling pattern: well-organized criminal groups exploiting the ease of access provided by the ESTA Visa Waiver Program to conduct high-yield, short-term crime sprees on U.S. soil.
Balancing Security with International Travel
The ESTA Visa Waiver Program, launched in 1986, was envisioned as a way to make global travel easier and encourage international relationships. But its effective operation hinges on trust and cooperation between the U.S. and participating countries. With cases of exploitation coming to light, especially linked to Chilean criminal groups, the program has come under closer scrutiny. The incident involving Chile 🇨🇱 exposes the delicate balance between facilitating tourism and ensuring national security, prompting a broader discussion about potential reforms to the program.
Although the Visa Waiver Program benefits millions of travelers and businesses, the increasing number of crime-related incidents raises questions about its current framework. Critics, including Todd Spitzer, argue that risks to public safety should take precedence over its benefits. Moreover, as analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests, any changes to the program could have far-reaching consequences not just for Chilean travelers but also for other participating nations who might see their cases reevaluated.
Moving Forward
The U.S. government is facing a pivotal decision in determining Chile’s continued participation in the ESTA Visa Waiver Program. The debate underscores broader concerns about how effectively the U.S. can monitor and manage visa-free travel agreements. If action is taken to remove Chile 🇨🇱 from the program, it could lead to a review of compliance among other participating countries, reshaping how the U.S. operates its visa policies.
For now, lawmakers, law enforcement, and immigration authorities remain committed to addressing these challenges. As Todd Spitzer continues his campaign to improve oversight and accountability, the coming months will likely bring heightened scrutiny to the ESTA Visa Waiver framework. Whether through suspension, stricter reforms, or international collaboration, the path forward will aim to strike a careful balance: enabling valuable travel opportunities while protecting public safety.
For more information about the ESTA Visa Waiver Program and its requirements, visit the official website of U.S. Customs and Border Protection here.
Learn Today
ESTA Visa Waiver Program → A U.S. travel initiative allowing citizens from select countries to visit visa-free for up to 90 days.
Burglary Tourism → A term describing organized criminal groups exploiting visa-free travel to conduct high-yield, short-term crimes abroad.
Compliance Requirements → Conditions countries must meet, including sharing real-time criminal data, to remain eligible for the ESTA Visa Waiver Program.
Background-sharing Measures → Procedures for providing U.S. immigration with travelers’ criminal and personal data to ensure security during visa-free entries.
In-person Interview → A mandatory step in traditional visa applications involving a face-to-face meeting at a U.S. Embassy to determine eligibility.
This Article in a Nutshell
Orange County DA Todd Spitzer demands Chile’s suspension from the ESTA Visa Waiver Program, citing rising crimes by Chilean nationals exploiting the system. Critics argue lax background sharing fuels “burglary tourism.” Stricter reforms or suspension loom, balancing security with travel ease. Will the U.S. prioritize public safety over convenience? Change awaits.
— By VisaVerge.com
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