Overview

• A surge in 'burglary tourism' has hit Southern California, with organized groups from South America exploiting the U.S. visa waiver program to target luxury homes.
• The Los Angeles Police Department has established a task force to combat the rise in burglaries, which have also affected areas in Michigan, New York, and London.
• Authorities have noted the burglars' sophisticated methods, including the use of jamming devices to disable home security systems and avoiding firearms to evade more severe charges.
• Chile's participation in the Visa Waiver Program, allowing for 90-day visits without a visa, is under scrutiny due to the failure to share criminal backgrounds of its citizens with the U.S.
• Calls for revoking Chile's status in the Visa Waiver Program and increasing cooperation between the U.S. and Chilean governments to combat the burglary wave are growing.