(CHICAGO) Mexican cartels, working with U.S.-based gangs and domestic extremist groups, are offering bounties up to $50,000 for hits on ICE and CBP agents, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said, warning the threat is active and focused in Chicago and other large U.S. cities. The department said the bounty system escalates from payments for doxing—posting personal details of agents—to higher payouts for kidnapping, assaults, and assassinations of senior federal officials.
DHS detailed the threat on October 14, 2025, and urged the public to report suspicious activity immediately.
Bounty Structure and Targets
According to DHS, the bounty structure includes three tiers:
- $2,000 for gathering or publishing private information about agents (doxing).
- $5,000–$10,000 for kidnapping or nonlethal assaults.
- Up to $50,000 for assassinations targeting high-ranking officials.
Officials said the campaign is using local gang networks to track personnel from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during enforcement operations.
DHS intelligence indicates cartel-linked gang members—some tied to the Latin Kings—are acting as rooftop “spotters” in Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods. Equipped with firearms and radios, these spotters relay agent movements in real time, enabling ambushes and interference during federal actions. DHS said these tactics have disrupted operations and raised risks for agents and bystanders.
Secretary Kristi Noem described the activity as an “organized campaign of terror against the brave men and women who protect our borders and communities,” citing ambushes, drone surveillance, and death threats against frontline officers.
DHS also confirmed a recent bounty was placed on Gregory Bovino, a senior CBP official managing enforcement surges in Los Angeles and Chicago, with a $10,000 reward offered to “take him down.” The department identified Juan Espinoza-Martines, described as an illegal immigrant member of the Latin Kings, as sharing the bounty on Chief Bovino.
DHS Intelligence Details
DHS says the current threat environment blends cartel direction with U.S.-based logistical help. The tactics include:
- Doxing and surveillance
- Payments of $2,000 for publishing personal data about ICE and CBP agents, including photos and family details.
- Spotter networks
- Rooftop lookouts with radios and firearms in Chicago, tracking federal teams to set up ambush points and block exits.
- Violence incentives
- $5,000–$10,000 for kidnapping or nonlethal assaults on officers.
- Assassination payouts
- Up to $50,000 for killing high-ranking federal officials overseeing enforcement surges.
Officials said spotters have interfered with ongoing DHS actions, including Operation Midway Blitz, described as an active initiative targeting cartel-linked smuggling and gang networks. The department reports extremist groups have provided logistical support—such as protest materials to mask movements, coordinated crowd tactics to slow federal teams, and doxing campaigns to intimidate officers.
Beyond Chicago, DHS flagged other major cities as areas of concern, citing increased enforcement activity and cartel interest in monitoring federal movements. However, Chicago remains a focal point for these bounty offers due to the concentration of enforcement and the presence of gang structures that can provide rapid surveillance and communications.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the scale and structure of the cartel bounty system mirror methods used in cross-border smuggling operations: small payments for information gathering, mid-level rewards for disruption, and top-tier payouts designed to intimidate leadership and shape federal behavior. Analysts say the threat aims to deter enforcement, complicate field operations, and sow fear among officers and their families.
Federal Response and Prosecutorial Priorities
The federal government has directed task forces in 2025 to prioritize investigation and prosecution of cartel and transnational criminal organization threats. DHS indicated that charging priorities have been revised to ensure swift action against those who plan assassinations, assault officers, or dox federal employees.
The department underscored that the current threat level is severe and requires coordination across federal, state, and local agencies.
“Kidnapping plots, assaults, and planned killings of high-ranking officials fall under aggressive federal prosecution priorities,” DHS officials said, with coordinated investigations extending to those who offer payment, recruit spotters, or share doxing materials.
Law enforcement sources stress that the bounty system’s graduated payouts are meant to create a steady stream of lower-risk actions—like doxing and tailing agents—or small-scale harassment that can escalate. By paying more for kidnappings and assassinations, cartels signal interest in causing chaos that can slow enforcement and shape public behavior, especially in cities where federal teams are conducting more operations against smuggling and gang activities.
Safety Measures for Agents and Families
For ICE and CBP agents, DHS says the current posture involves:
- More protective measures and route changes.
- Technology to counter drones and radio communications.
- Rotating personnel and revising schedules to reduce predictability.
- Advisories to review family safety plans, vary commute patterns, and avoid routine stops in known surveillance areas.
Officials noted more plainclothes teams and counter-surveillance units are being deployed to identify spotters before operations begin.
Public Guidance and Community Safety
DHS has urged residents in Chicago and other large cities to stay alert near federal enforcement scenes, avoid filming or sharing agent faces and license plates online, and report suspected spotters—especially individuals on rooftops with radios or cameras—through the official ICE tip line. The department said to call 911 if an immediate danger exists.
DHS emphasized that reporting is not limited to immigration status and that public safety concerns will be handled regardless of a caller’s background.
For families living in Pilsen, Little Village, and other neighborhoods where ICE and CBP operate, officials recommend simple steps to reduce risk when federal teams are active nearby:
- Move away from rooftops, narrow alleyways, and crowded intersections where spotters may cluster.
- Do not engage with individuals tracking officers or collecting photos; report quietly and promptly.
- Avoid sharing images of enforcement activity that include agent faces, vehicles, or tactical positions.
- Keep children indoors when operations are visible, and choose alternate routes for school or work.
Community groups have voiced concern about resident safety during large operations. DHS said it is increasing deconfliction and communication with local police to create safer perimeters, reduce spillover risks, and prevent ambushes.
How the Public Can Help
Officials say public awareness is a key line of defense. Recommended steps if you encounter suspicious activity:
- Capture screenshots of online posts that appear to offer money for agent locations, photos, or family details.
- Report such posts via the ICE tip line or to local law enforcement.
- Report in-person recruitment offers—cash to watch a corner, stand on a roof with a radio, or pass along license plates.
- Call 911 if an immediate threat or violence is observed.
DHS said even small reports can be part of disrupting a wider system that rewards harm.
Ongoing Investigations and Conclusion
DHS did not publicly disclose the number of payments made under the bounties, citing ongoing investigations. The department says the campaign remains active and coordinated, with Chicago one of the most affected areas.
Federal agencies continue to adapt under 2025 directives that call for expanded task forces and revised charging strategies to dismantle cartel networks and their U.S.-based partners. The department reiterated the severity of the threat and the need for coordinated public reporting and interagency action to protect officers and bystanders.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Department of Homeland Security issued an alert—dated October 14, 2025—notifying that Mexican cartels, aided by U.S.-based gangs and extremist groups, are offering tiered bounties for attacks on ICE and CBP agents. Payments range from $2,000 for doxing to $5,000–$10,000 for kidnappings or assaults, and up to $50,000 for assassinations of high-ranking officials. DHS intelligence identifies rooftop spotter networks in Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village that relay agent movements to facilitate ambushes, interfering with operations such as Operation Midway Blitz. Federal directives in 2025 prioritize investigation and prosecution of those involved. DHS recommends protective measures for agents and families, increased counter-surveillance, and urges the public to report suspicious activity via the ICE tip line or 911. The department characterizes the threat as severe and stresses interagency coordination to protect officers and bystanders.
