Rep. Roy writes letter to Secretaries Noem and Rubio on Visa Waiver Program

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Chip Roy (TX-21) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urging them to reconsider Chile’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP) status as Chilean gangs burglarize American homes across the country, having entered lawfully through the VWP. 

Rep. Roy writes: “Chile refuses to provide U.S. authorities the required background information on its nationals seeking VWP entry into the U.S. despite entering into a PCSC agreement with the U.S. in 2013.” 

“As a result, communities across the country have experienced “burglary tourism,” in which Chilean organized crime rings exploit the VWP to easily import criminals into the U.S. without a visa or a criminal background check who then commit residential and commercial burglaries, follow-home robberies, and thefts. These lawless groups are believed to have victimized thousands of Americans and stolen millions of dollars’ worth of goods.”

He continues: “We urge you to direct your respective agencies to require Chile to share its security records and to revoke Chile’s VWP status if it refuses to cooperate. Moreover, we call on you to ensure other countries are working with the federal government to stop foreign theft rings across the U.S. In 2002, Argentina lost its VWP status after the federal government discovered that scores of its citizens were refusing to return home to obtain employment and reside in the U.S. The same action can be taken against Chile and other uncooperative nations.”

The full text of the letter can be read here:

###