U.S. immigration authorities are responding to alarming intelligence indicating that Mexican drug cartels, in collaboration with U.S.-based gangs and extremist groups, have issued tiered bounties on officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), these threats include payments of up to $50,000 for the assassination of senior officials, $5,000 to $10,000 for kidnappings or non-lethal assaults, and $2,000 for doxxing or gathering intelligence on agents.
The DHS characterized this bounty system as part of “an organized campaign of terror against federal law enforcement.” In a statement, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “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.”
The threats come amid reported attacks on agents, including ambushes and drone surveillance. Secretary Noem noted that these actions are a direct response to the enforcement of laws passed by Congress. “We will not back down from these threats, and every criminal, terrorist, and illegal alien will face American justice,” she declared.
Details of the Threats and Investigations
According to the DHS, cartel-linked networks have deployed “spotters” across urban areas, including neighborhoods in Chicago like Pilsen and Little Village. These individuals, equipped with firearms and communication devices, are tasked with tracking the real-time movements of ICE and CBP agents. The department also alleged that domestic groups sympathetic to the cartels have provided logistical support, including doxxing federal personnel and organizing protests aimed at obstructing enforcement operations.
In a notable case, the Justice Department recently charged a member of the Latin Kings gang for allegedly offering a bounty on Greg Bovino, the CBP commander overseeing border surge operations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland. This incident exemplifies how cartel networks utilize U.S.-based affiliates to target law enforcement.
The DHS has urged the public to report suspicious activities, such as rooftop surveillance or coordinated protests that may hinder federal operations, to its national tip line. This call to action follows Secretary Noem’s earlier remarks, in which she revealed that intelligence reports indicated cartels and terrorist groups were offering money to “kill or kidnap federal agents.” She described the situation as “unprecedented and extremely dangerous.”
Government’s Response and Future Actions
While the DHS statement did not specify which cartels are behind these threats, it affirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Department of Justice and state authorities to ensure the safety of federal personnel. The escalation of threats against immigration officials raises serious concerns about the safety of those tasked with enforcing U.S. immigration laws.
The ongoing investigation highlights not only the dangers faced by law enforcement but also the evolving tactics used by criminal networks in the United States. As these threats continue to develop, the federal government emphasizes the need for vigilance and public cooperation in addressing this critical issue.