The Latin Kings street gang in Illinois placed a bounty on a senior Border Patrol official who has been instrumental in the administration’s attempt to surge arrests and deportations in big cities, government officials said Monday.

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino helped lead the Los Angeles operation this summer and has been playing a role in the new deportation surge in the Chicago area.

Homeland Security said it was tipped off by a source Friday that a “hit” had been placed on Chief Bovino. A Snapchat conversation shared with authorities suggested a $2,000 reward for information and $10,000 to “take him down.”

Federal authorities arrested Juan Espinoza-Martinez on Monday and charged him with soliciting murder of a law enforcement official.

They identified him as an illegal immigrant.

“Depraved individuals like Juan Espinoza Martinez – who do not value human life and threaten law enforcement – do not belong in this country,” said Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

She cast the gang’s actions as part of a string of threats and violence against federal law enforcement.

Illinois officials have been particularly pointed in identifying Chief Bovino as a major player in the administration’s plans.

Indeed, his name was featured prominently in Illinois’ new lawsuit Monday challenging President Trump’s decision to federalize and deploy National Guard troops to the Chicago area to quell protests hindering immigration enforcement.

The lawsuit said Chief Bovino has provoked passions at the Broadview migrant processing facility in the western suburbs of the city by marching along with other agents in tactical gear, and refusing to take alternate routes to get to the location, which angered protesters who were trying to block access.

• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.