Migrant gangs put on notice after string of home burglaries

Reps. Young Kim, Derek Tran, Dave Min and Mike Levin of California sent a letter to DHS asking that Chile be taken off the list, which allows citizens from certain countries to visit the U.S. for roughly three months without a visa, until steps are taken to ensure that people robbing homes and businesses after they come to the country are stopped. 

"We are concerned that the VWP continues to be exploited by South American Theft Groups (SATG) - a majority of whom originate from Chile. Known as 'burglary tourism,' certain eligible individuals travel to the U.S. through the VWP for the purpose of committing residential and commercial robberies before returning to their country of origin," states the letter exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital. 

"In 2024, there were 59 residential burglaries suspected of being committed by SATGs in the Orange County Sheriff's Department Southeast Patrol Area. Given the threat to public safety, we believe immediate action must be taken."

The practice of "burglary tourism" has become a relatively common occurrence in communities throughout the country, including affluent areas such as Orange County, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona. 

"These Chileans have been coming here for years," he said. "They're going to Orlando, Florida, where Disney World is. They're coming to Orange County, California, where Disneyland is. And they're not here to visit the happiest place on Earth - they're here to burglarize," he added.

DHS did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.