In a development that has sent shockwaves through law enforcement circles and reignited fierce debate over immigration policy, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on October 14, 2025, that Mexican drug cartels have established a structured bounty system targeting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, particularly in Chicago. The alarming revelation, confirmed in multiple DHS press releases and intelligence bulletins, details a chilling escalation in tactics used by criminal organizations and their domestic collaborators.
According to DHS, the cartels’ bounty system is tiered and explicit: $2,000 is offered for intelligence gathering and doxxing of federal agents—including personal and family details—while $5,000 to $10,000 is paid for kidnappings or non-lethal assaults on rank-and-file ICE and CBP officers. The most disturbing tier, however, is the offer of up to $50,000 for the assassination of high-ranking officials. In neighborhoods such as Pilsen and Little Village in Chicago, local gangs affiliated with the notorious Latin Kings have reportedly stationed armed spotters on rooftops, equipped with firearms and radios, to track ICE and CBP activity in real time. DHS alleges that this surveillance has facilitated ambushes and disrupted routine enforcement operations, including recent raids under “Operation Midway Blitz.”
“These criminal networks are not just resisting the rule of law, they are waging an organized campaign of terror against the brave men and women who protect our borders and communities,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared in a press release. “Our agents are facing ambushes, drone surveillance, and death threats, all because they dare to enforce the laws passed by Congress. We will not back down from these threats, and every criminal, terrorist, and illegal alien will face American justice.”
The threat is not confined to the actions of Mexican cartels alone. DHS reports indicate that domestic extremist groups, including Antifa cells in both Chicago and Portland, have provided logistical support to these criminal enterprises. Their alleged assistance includes pre-staged protest supplies, doxxing of agent identities, and on-the-ground interference aimed at shielding cartel-linked individuals from deportation. The department further contends that these groups have staged protests and actively interfered with deportation operations, compounding the risks faced by federal officers on the ground.
The gravity of the situation was underscored two weeks prior to the DHS announcement, when the Justice Department charged a member of the Chicago-based Latin Kings gang with putting a bounty on Greg Bovino, the CBP Commander overseeing surge operations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland. The suspect allegedly used Snapchat to communicate the bounty, stating, “10k if u take him down.” The incident is just one example of the real and present danger federal agents now face, as criminal networks deploy increasingly sophisticated and violent tactics to disrupt immigration enforcement.
Federal authorities have also documented the use of drone surveillance and armed “spotters” by gangs, who relay real-time movements of ICE and CBP agents to cartel operatives. The intelligence gathered has not only enabled ambushes but has also led to disruptions during high-profile enforcement actions. In late September, a sniper opened fire on an ICE facility in Dallas, killing one detainee and injuring two others before taking his own life. According to the FBI, the shooter had written “Anti ICE” on his ammunition, highlighting the growing hostility and risks surrounding immigration enforcement.
The response from DHS has been unequivocal. Secretary Noem has called for local and state officials to end sanctuary policies that, in her words, “embolden criminals.” The agency is also urging the public to report suspicious activities, such as rooftop surveillance or organized efforts to obstruct federal operations. “We will not back down from these threats,” Noem reiterated, emphasizing the department’s resolve to continue its mission despite the mounting dangers.
Yet the federal government’s efforts to protect its agents have run into significant legal and political obstacles. Amid the rising threats, the Trump administration sought to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago and other cities to bolster protection for immigration enforcement officers and facilities. However, on October 7, 2025, District Judge April Perry temporarily blocked the deployment of troops from any U.S. state into Illinois for 14 days. In her ruling, Perry stated there was “no credible evidence that there is a danger of rebellion in Illinois” and warned that the deployment “is likely to lead to civil unrest.” She further noted that the “provocative nature of ICE enforcement activity” could be exacerbated by the presence of the National Guard, concluding, “I find allowing the national guard to deploy will only add fuel to the fire that they started.”
The Department of Justice swiftly appealed the ruling, but a federal appeals court rejected the appeal, although it permitted the federal government to maintain control of Illinois’ National Guard troops. The legal wrangling has highlighted deep divisions over the federal government’s approach to immigration enforcement and the use of military resources in domestic law enforcement operations.
Illinois officials have been vocal in their opposition to the federal deployment. Attorney General Kwame Raoul criticized the move as politically motivated and unconstitutional, stating, “The administration has provided no lawful explanation for its deployment of federal troops, and none exists. It’s clear that this attempted occupation within the state of Illinois is driven by political animus and not because federal officials are unable to protect federal property or enforce federal law.” Governor JB Pritzker, for his part, has weighed the possibility of state prosecution of ICE agents, telling FOX 32 Chicago, “The tables will turn one day. These people should recognize that maybe they’re not gonna get prosecuted today, although we’re looking at doing that, but they may get prosecuted after the Trump administration because the statute of limitations would not have run out.” On social media, Pritzker added, “I’m not afraid. Come and get me, Donald. I will stand up for the law and the Constitution. That’s what we do in the State of Illinois.”
The controversy is further complicated by recent legislative developments. In late September, California passed a law barring federal immigration officers from wearing masks that conceal their identities, a move aimed at increasing transparency but criticized by some as endangering agents. Other states are reportedly considering similar measures, adding yet another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
As the political and legal battles rage on, DHS maintains that its agents are undeterred. The department continues to call for public vigilance and cooperation while reiterating its commitment to enforcing the laws of the United States. Whether these measures will be enough to protect the men and women on the front lines remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the stakes—for law enforcement, policymakers, and communities alike—have never been higher.
