Migrant gangs put on notice after string of home burglaries

Fox News - Mar 14th, 2025

A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Reps. Young Kim, Derek Tran, Dave Min, and Mike Levin from California, is urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remove Chile from the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This plea comes in response to the rising concern over 'burglary tourism,' where South American Theft Groups (SATGs), predominantly from Chile, use the VWP to enter the U.S. and commit residential and commercial robberies. These activities have significantly impacted communities, particularly in affluent areas like Orange County, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona. The lawmakers' letter also highlights the burden on local law enforcement and the potential link to Chinese crime syndicates for laundering stolen goods.

The push to revoke Chile's VWP status follows a similar request made to the Biden administration earlier in 2023, emphasizing the repeated pattern of exploitation by SATGs. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer has also been vocal about the issue, pointing out the historical precedent of other South American countries losing their VWP privileges due to criminal activities. The matter underscores the broader challenge of managing international crime and its implications for U.S. domestic security, particularly in areas already stretched thin by resource limitations. Despite the urgency expressed by lawmakers, DHS has yet to respond to these concerns publicly.

Law Enforcement Homeland Security Orange County Chile Visa Waiver Program South American Theft Groups Burglary Tourism Bipartisan Lawmakers

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant discussion on the security concerns surrounding the Visa Waiver Program and its alleged exploitation by South American Theft Groups. It effectively uses statements from U.S. lawmakers and law enforcement officials to support its claims, but it lacks diverse perspectives, particularly from Chilean officials or independent experts, which affects balance and source quality. While the structure and language are generally clear, the inclusion of unrelated descriptive elements may detract from readability. The piece has the potential to influence public opinion and contribute to policy discussions but would benefit from additional verification and transparency regarding the claims made. Overall, the article addresses significant public interest topics but could enhance its impact and engagement by incorporating a wider range of perspectives and deeper analysis of the issues at hand.

Accuracy

The article claims that a bipartisan group of lawmakers requested the Department of Homeland Security to remove Chile from the Visa Waiver Program due to concerns about South American Theft Groups (SATGs) exploiting the program. This claim is consistent with statements from the lawmakers mentioned in the story. The article also reports on specific incidents, such as residential burglaries in Orange County and notable victims like NFL players, which align with the broader narrative of SATG activities. However, the story would benefit from additional verification regarding the actual impact of removing Chile from the VWP and the extent of SATG operations. The lack of a response from DHS at the time of publication leaves some claims unverified, which slightly affects the accuracy score.

Balance

The article predominantly presents the perspective of lawmakers and law enforcement officials concerned about the security implications of the Visa Waiver Program and SATG activities. It lacks viewpoints from other stakeholders, such as representatives from Chile or immigration policy experts, which could provide a more balanced discussion on the implications of removing Chile from the VWP. The focus on crime and security concerns might overshadow potential counterarguments or broader implications of such a policy change, suggesting a degree of imbalance in perspective representation.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of the main issue: the request to remove Chile from the Visa Waiver Program due to security concerns. The structure follows a logical flow, beginning with the lawmakers' request and expanding into specific incidents and broader implications. However, the inclusion of unrelated elements, such as the description of Newport Harbor, could distract from the main narrative, slightly affecting clarity.

Source quality

The article relies on statements from U.S. lawmakers and law enforcement officials, which are credible sources for the claims made. However, the story lacks diversity in sources, as it does not include perspectives from Chilean officials, independent experts, or affected communities. The absence of a response from the Department of Homeland Security also limits the depth of source quality, as it leaves a key institutional perspective unrepresented.

Transparency

The article provides some context by mentioning previous requests to remove Chile from the VWP and specific incidents of burglary tourism. However, it lacks transparency in terms of the methodology behind the claims, such as how the number of burglaries linked to SATGs was determined. Additionally, potential conflicts of interest, such as political motivations behind the lawmakers' requests, are not explored, which affects the overall transparency of the piece.