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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said criminal networks in Chicago were offered cash rewards for killing immigration agents, with the offers allegedly originating in Mexico, the Washington Examiner reported.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News there were bounties of $2,000 for killing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent and $5,000 for a mid-level officer.
Why It Matters
Since January, when the Trump administration began enforcing its immigration policies, assaults on immigration agents have risen, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Officials partly attribute the increase to protests against ICE operations and have blamed Democrats and progressive activists.
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The uptick in confrontations comes as the administration increases its efforts to deport millions of undocumented migrants, an approach critics say has led to aggressive enforcement tactics, due process violations and the mistreatment of migrants.
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What To Know
A DHS review of Drug Enforcement Administration material said gangs operating in southwest Chicago neighborhoods, including Pilsen and Little Village, were presented with bounties to carry out assassinations of federal officers, according to the Washington Examiner.
The DEA report described organized monitoring of law-enforcement movements—including “spotters” on rooftops and radio communications—and listed payment amounts tied to rank.
The bounties ranged from $5,000 for an agent or officer to $50,000 for a high-ranking official, with intermediate amounts for commanding roles, according to the DHS disclosure obtained by the Washington Examiner.
The department previously reported that a suspected Latin Kings member was charged with placing a bounty on U.S. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino.
DHS identified the suspect as Juan Espinoza Martinez, a Mexican national who entered the United States at an unknown time.
Officials said a confidential source alerted law enforcement on October 3 that a “hit” had been ordered on Bovino.
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations later identified Martinez as the individual behind the threat and arrested him on October 6 in Burr Ridge, Illinois.
Investigators said evidence included a Snapchat screenshot showing a user named “Juan” offering a $2,000 reward for information and $10,000 “if you take him down,” with an additional message referencing the Latin Kings gang.
Meanwhile, Chicago has emerged as a focal point for federal immigration enforcement operations. The Trump administration has deployed hundreds of National Guard soldiers to the city, citing the need to combat crime.
On Monday, Trump wrote on X that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker “should be in jail” for failing to protect federal officers amid clashes between protesters and federal agents in Broadview.
What People Are Saying
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News: “It’s not just Chief Bovino who has a bounty on his head. We actually just found out from recent reporting that there’s more bounties. We have reports—$2,000 for a single ICE agent to be killed, $5,000 for a mid-tier officer. It’s really disgusting what’s happening.”
What Happens Next
Officials urged anyone with information about threats to federal personnel to contact local authorities or federal tip lines as agencies continue to assess threat credibility and take measures to protect agents.
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