June 16, 2023

RANKING MEMBER CORREA CALLS ON STATE DEPT., DHS TO INCREASE EFFORTS TO STOP CRIME, PROTECT ORANGE COUNTY FAMILIES

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Representative Lou Correa (CA-46), Ranking Member of the House Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee, penned a letter to both Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging them to work alongside their Chilean government counterparts to ensure more effective data sharing to prevent crime in Orange County. 

Specifically, Ranking Member Correa highlighted that some citizens of Chile are abusing the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to commit burglaries in Orange County.

“I am concerned that some citizens of Chile are abusing the Visa Waiver Program to commit burglaries throughout the United States, including in my district in Orange County,” Correa wrote. “Sadly, these burglaries have targeted families as well as local small businesses, thus destroying the livelihoods of the people who worked so hard to create them.”

Some Chilean citizens have been able to conceal criminal backgrounds and obtain visas to come to the United States. This has resulted in these individuals being able to utilize the Visa Waiver Program to commit crimes in the United States

“I respectfully request you work with the Chilean government to improve the data sharing practices,” Correa concluded. “Should Chile not address this matter in a timely and effective way, I would urge the Administration to terminate Chile’s participation in the Visa Waiver Program.”

In March, Ranking Member Correa was briefed by Department of Homeland Security officials on the issue, and since has continued to be in regular contact with officials at every level of national law enforcement to remain abreast of new developments. Just this month, Correa also met with Chilean Ambassador to the United States Juan Gabriel Valdes, as well as Chilean First Secretary Diego Bunster, to make clear that more must be done to protect the livelihoods of those who call Orange County home. 

You can read the full text of the letter HERE. 

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