Whereas, The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) permits eligible nationals from certain countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism purposes for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. Before departing for the United States, eligible nationals from VWP countries must apply under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, but, unlike applicants for B-1 business visas or B-2 tourist visas, they are not required to undergo an in-person interview with U.S. officials or have their fingerprints taken before they reach a port of entry. This lack of biometric information limits the types of databases that can be used to determine whether prospective travelers have a criminal history; and
Whereas, The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security is responsible for determining which countries may participate in the Visa Waiver Program. To qualify, a country must satisfy various criteria, including a requirement that the country certify that it is screening each foreign national who is admitted to or departs from the country, as well as a requirement that the country share information with the United States regarding whether a national of that country traveling to the United States represents a threat to U.S. security or welfare. The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, has the power to suspend or terminate a country’s participation in the program if their participation poses a threat to our nation’s national security or law enforcement interests; and
Whereas, Chile is one of the designated countries in the Visa Waiver Program. The Secretary of Homeland Security made this designation on February 28, 2014; and
Whereas, There have recently been allegations that Chilean nationals are abusing the Visa Waiver Program to gain access to the United States for the purpose of committing crimes against Americans. Transnational criminal organizations from Chile have committed hundreds of residential burglaries in the United States, including a string of thefts in Oakland County. In 2023, multiple Chilean nationals who had entered the country under the Visa Waiver Program were arrested for stealing millions of dollars’ worth of goods in the Oakland County area; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the United States Secretary of State, to suspend or terminate Chile’s participation in the Visa Waiver Program; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security and the United States Secretary of State.
Co-sponsored by Reps.
Referred to the Committee on Government Operations
