A gang leader in Chicago who placed a $10,000 bounty on the life of Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino adds to the growing concerns over the safety of immigration officers nationwide.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on October 6 that 39-year-old Juan Espinoza Martinez, allegedly a senior member of the Latin Kings gang, was arrested for soliciting Bovino’s assassination.
According to federal prosecutors, Martinez used Snapchat to offer $10,000 to anyone who would “take out” the Border Patrol chief, and $2,000 for information on his exact location. Martinez now faces felony murder-for-hire charges and remains in custody, as federal officials warn the country to keep an eye out for copycat bounties from other gangs.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, DHS data shows more than a 1,000% spike in attacks against ICE agents since January, with some officials now attributing the escalation to violent rhetoric from leftist politicians.
On September 24, 29-year-old Joshua Jahn opened fire on the Dallas ICE field office from a nearby rooftop, targeting officers and subsequently killing two detainees and injuring a third.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, Jahn had marked his bullets “ANTI-ICE” and said he wanted to inflict “constant stress” on the agents. Prosecutors say Jahn justified his attack by claiming ICE was “trafficking humans.”
On July 4, Antifa-linked terrorists attacked the Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado, wounding a police officer. Weeks later, a gunman shot a Border Patrol agent and two officers in McAllen. Authorities say one of the Alvarado suspects was later rearrested for obstructing a terrorism investigation.
Despite the drastic rise in assaults against agents, Democratic lawmakers continue to push measures to ban ICE agents from wearing masks, calling it an issue of transparency. Proposals in Congress and states like California and New York would prohibit agents from wearing masks, with 21 Democratic attorneys general signing a joint letter in support, per AP News.
ICE has continued to defend the use of masks among agents, citing the growing threat of doxxing and harassment that has previously put officers and their families in danger. The agency also clarified that officers always carry credentials and identify themselves when legally required, but that anonymity can be necessary for their safety.
Attorney General Pam Bondi responded to the escalating violence with a strongly worded directive titled “Ending Political Violence Against ICE” on September 29. Her memo calls for a new ICE Protection Task Force, more coordination with local police departments, and a call for increased resources to defend agents while on duty.
“Enough is enough. The Department of Justice will stand strong when federal law enforcement officers are attacked or threatened for doing their sworn duty on behalf of the United States government.” Bondi wrote.