Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer has issued a formal request for the immediate suspension of Chile from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Visa Waiver Program, in a letter published on the Orange County District Attorney's Office website. Citing concerns about criminal activities tied to the visa waiver program, the call for action comes after two years of advocacy from Spitzer for stronger compliance with background check requirements that are part of the ESTA agreement.
Spitzer's concerns echo those from law enforcement agencies nationwide who have identified a rise in crime connected to the misuse of the visa waiver program by Chilean nationals, the FBI has reportedly been working with over 750 law enforcement agencies across all 50 states to address what is being referred to as VWP-related crime tourism which has evidently grown common, in 2023, Spitzer hosted then-Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and other members of Congress to discuss these issues, following this, he also sent a senior deputy district attorney to testify before the House Judiciary Subcommittee to underline the gravity of the situation.
The district attorney stressed the ongoing and worsening impact of these transgressions, claiming that the loophole has brought transnational criminals into the country, resulting in significant financial losses and affecting the safety of American citizens. Previously, Argentina faced a similar situation; it was removed from the Visa Waiver Program in 2002 during the George W. Bush administration due to a spike in Argentinians attempting to misuse the VWP for illegal residency in the U.S., as per the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
In his letter, Spitzer urged the current Secretary of Homeland Security to take decisive action where his predecessor, Alejandro Mayorkas, did not and recommended suspending Chile from the ESTA program until full compliance with its conditions is achieved, he believes this measure is crucial for safeguarding the 3.3 million residents of Orange County and by extension the broader American populace from the threats posed by inadequate oversight of the visa waiver program.
