Sangamon Sun

Mary Miller, a U.S. Representative, said that cartels and domestic extremists are targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in Chicago, with sanctuary cities exacerbating the threat. This statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Mexican cartels and domestic extremists are placing bounties on ICE & CBP agents in Chicago," said Mary E. Miller, U.S. Representative from Illinois. "These criminals are waging war on U.S. law enforcement, and sanctuary cities are making it worse. We must crack down on these terrorist networks!!"

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), officials confirmed on October 14, 2025, that "bounties originating from Mexico" were allegedly offered to harm ICE and CBP officers operating in Chicago. DHS condemned these threats and said that federal operations would continue while urging Illinois leaders to reject policies that it believes embolden criminal networks targeting law enforcement.

The Department of Homeland Security reported that ICE agents nationwide faced a 500% increase in assaults during 2025, with Chicago included among high-risk areas for enforcement operations. The agency indicated that rising hostility toward officers, particularly during immigration-related arrests, highlighted the need for added protection and interagency coordination.

A study published in Social Science Research in 2022 found that sanctuary jurisdictions do not experience higher rates of violence; instead, violent and property crime declined more in sanctuary counties after 2014 compared to non-sanctuary areas. While no verified data links sanctuary policies to assaults on federal officers, the broader findings suggest sanctuary limits have not increased overall risk levels.

Miller, the Republican U.S. Representative for Illinois’ 15th Congressional District since 2021, serves on the House Committees on Agriculture, Education and the Workforce, and House Administration. According to the U.S. House Clerk, she is a farmer and business owner from east-central Illinois, with legislative priorities focused on education reform, agriculture, and family policy.