Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed Sunday on “Fox & Friends” that U.S. immigration agents are confronting an unprecedented level of danger from foreign criminal organizations, including cartels, gangs and terrorist-linked groups.
According to Noem, some syndicates have placed bounties on federal officers, offering thousands of dollars for their capture or even death.
“We have specific officers and agents that have bounties that have been put out on their heads,” she said. “It’s been $2,000 to kidnap them, $10,000 to kill them.”
Noem also shared that the officers and agent’s pictures have also been released.
“They’ve sent them between their networks and it’s an extremely dangerous situation and unprecedented,” she said.
In response, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented protective measures for at-risk personnel and adjusted operations to reduce exposure to harm.
Noem emphasized that these threats go beyond physical attacks. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol officers have reportedly been doxxed, with personal information shared among criminal networks.
Attempts to intimidate agents—including unmasking and other harassment—are part of organized campaigns intended to disrupt U.S. law enforcement along the southern border.
Noem emphasized that the threats are highly organized and intentional.
She noted that they target agents enforcing federal law and are motivated by frustration over federal actions that have disrupted smuggling operations, including both drug and human trafficking.
The threats coincide with reports of increased operational difficulties for criminal organizations.
The Post Millennial reports that a senior Sinaloa Cartel member told CNN that stricter enforcement policies have made smuggling more difficult, prompting smugglers to raise fees to nearly $10,000 per person.
These measures, originally implemented under the Trump administration, have limited the profitability of cartel operations.
Noem also addressed day-to-day operational challenges faced by agents. Officers have reportedly struggled to access basic facilities while on duty, including restrooms and meal breaks, complicating their ability to perform assignments safely.
Federal law enforcement officials have also reported increased tension at ICE and Border Patrol facilities, where large crowds of protesters have at times attempted to disrupt operations.
These gatherings add another layer of complexity for agents already facing threats from criminal syndicates, prompting stepped‑up security at several processing sites and additional operational precautions.
Despite these hurdles and the ongoing threats, agents reportedly remain dedicated to their mission.
Noem stressed that they have remained committed to serving their county, despite the danger and difficulties.
The secretary also emphasized that U.S. immigration personnel remain motivated by the support of citizens and a sense of duty to uphold federal law.
Protective measures have included enhanced security details, intelligence sharing and operational modifications designed to safeguard officers while maintaining enforcement efforts along the border.
Analysts say these threats underscore the expanding reach and sophistication of transnational criminal organizations, as well as the high-risk environment faced by U.S. immigration agents confronting cartels, gangs, and terrorist-linked networks.
The situation highlights the urgent need for enhanced federal preparedness, strategic protections and officer safety measures to address escalating dangers along the southern border.
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