It is a new kind of war — one that no longer respects borders.
The Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday that Mexican gangs have offered Chicago street crews up to $50,000 to murder top officials at both Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
According to a DHS intelligence bulletin, the cartels established a tiered bounty system — beginning at $2,000 for “gathering intelligence or doxxing agents,” including personal information about their families.
In Chicago neighborhoods like Pilsen and Little Village, gangs have reportedly stationed armed spotters on rooftops to track federal agents and relay movements over radio — a tactic officials say has enabled ambushes and disruptions during enforcement operations, including Operation Midway Blitz.
“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 Homeland Security Secretary Kristi 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.”
Noem had warned earlier this month that international cartels were offering bounties ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 against federal officers.
Noem says cartels are offering bounties because DHS has been so successful.
“Their campaign of terror against the brave men and women who protect our homeland will be CRUSHED, and these cartel members will be brought to their knees. President Trump and I have the backs of every member of law enforcement across our nation,” Noem said on X.
DHS law enforcement under @POTUS Trump has been so effective in dismantling cartel operations in America that these criminal networks are now placing bounties on the heads of our agents.
Up to $50,000 for murder.
Their campaign of terror against the brave men and women who…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) October 15, 2025
From Mexico’s cartels to Chicago’s gangs, the threat has traveled north — and the line between the border and the homeland has all but vanished.
Watch the clip below:
🚨 BREAKING: Cartels are working with left-wing terror groups in the US offering thousands of dollars for the assassination of top border officials, including Border Commander GREG BOVINO
BOVINO: "We have criminals ramming vehicles, bringing guns to protests! This is NOT regular… pic.twitter.com/odzUDdFbg0
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 15, 2025