The Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday that it has obtained intelligence indicating that criminal organizations in Mexico have begun offering thousands of dollars for the murder of federal law enforcement officers.
“These criminal networks have issued explicit instructions to U.S.-based sympathizers, including street gangs in Chicago, to monitor, harass, and assassinate federal agents,” DHS said in a press release, Tuesday.
The department said foreign criminal gangs are using “spotter networks” to surveil ICE operations.
In neighborhoods like Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village, gang members affiliated with groups such as the Latin Kings have deployed “spotters” on rooftops equipped with firearms and radio communications. These individuals track ICE and CBP movements in real-time relaying coordinates. This surveillance has enabled ambushes and disruptions during routine enforcement actions, including recent raids under Operation Midway Blitz.
The cartels have also created a structured bounty program to incentivize violence against U.S. federal personnel.
Payouts are reportedly based on rank and action taken:
-$2,000 for gathering intelligence or doxxing agents (including photos and family details).
-$5,000–$10,000 for kidnapping or non-lethal assaults on standard ICE/CBP officers.
-Up to $50,000 for the assassination of high-ranking officials.
According to DHS, ICE agents have seen a 1000 percent increase in assaults against them as they carry out enforcement operations.
“In Portland and Chicago, Antifa groups have provided logistical support such as pre-staged protest supplies, doxxing of agent identities, and on-the-ground interference to shield cartel-linked individuals from deportation,” DHS stated.
Chaos erupted in the Southeast side of Chicago Tuesday, following an ICE vehicle collision that spurred a violent mob to form in the street.
Agents in a white ICE vehicle was reportedly chasing someone in a maroon van when their vehicles crashed, prompting dozens of residents to emerge from their homes and harass the agents. A livestream of the incident shows people yelling at the officers, waving Mexican flags, and throwing objects at the officers.
As the standoff intensified, more federal agents arrived at the scene and formed a perimeter. Then, about ten Chicago Police officers arrived and attempted to disperse the mob, but agitators reacted by throwing rocks, causing local reporters to run for cover.
The embattled officers were forced to deploy tear gas to control the growing mob.
The livestream shows several arrests being made during the incident.
DHS has reported that about 1,500 illegal immigrants have been arrested since the start of Operation Midway Blitz on September 9.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said federal law enforcement officials will not be deterred by the ongoing threats.
“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,” said Noem. “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.”