This story was first published at Colorado Newsline.
DENVER | Colorado congressional Democrats are calling for further investigation into the ace of spades playing cards left in the cars of people detained by federal immigration agents in Eagle County.
U.S. Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Reps. Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow and Brittany Pettersen wrote a letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Monday about the incident.
Last month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 10 people in Eagle County during traffic stops. When family members went to get the cars left behind, they found in the vehicles the ace of spades cards printed with “ICE Denver Field Office” and the address of the privately-run immigration detention center in Aurora, according to advocacy group Voces Unidas de las Montañas.
Known as the “death card,” the ace of spades has been associated with psychological warfare, as U.S. soldiers left the card on the bodies of dead Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War.
“It is unacceptable and dangerous for federal law enforcement to use this symbol to intimidate Latino communities. This behavior undermines public trust in law enforcement, raises serious civil rights concerns, and falls far short of the professional standards expected of federal agents,” the letter reads.
The group of lawmakers is requesting, by Feb. 13, a briefing on ICE activity in Eagle County, a written report about an ongoing Homeland Security investigation, a separate investigation by the Homeland Security Office of Inspector General into the Denver Field Office, and confirmation of any corrective action.
In a statement to The Denver Post last month, a Homeland Security spokesperson condemned the playing cards and said the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility would investigate.
The agency did not immediately respond to a separate request for comment on Tuesday.
The letter from lawmakers also addresses the allegation that ICE agents were in unmarked vehicles with sirens during the arrests.
“This behavior leads individuals to believe they are lawfully required to pull over for a traffic violation when in reality, the federal government has no authority over local or state traffic regulations. Federal agents acting in disguise as local law enforcement is misconduct and should be treated as such,” they wrote.
The letter comes amid growing national backlash to the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts, which in Minnesota last month involved the killing by immigration agents of two citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
I suspect that close to 0% of individuals are aware of the ace-of-spades being a “death card.” Reminds me of the woke left trying to say that making an “ok” sign with the hand is signaling White supremacy. They are always looking for something to become outraged over. Since overt racism is largely non-existent today, they created a new category called “micro-aggressions.” This is a vehicle by which a person of color can still feel insulted when no such insult exists.
So you actually think it is completely normal to use playing cards in an official, government capacity as a replacement for a missing person. When reading playing cards as tarot, the Ace of spades corresponds to the Death or Transition card. Just because you don’t know this doesn’t mean the fact doesn’t exist.
I accept your correction. My ignorance.
Continuing to spread your lies. Overt racism is largely non-existent today?! Over racism has returned in spades with the racist-in-chief in the white house, and all his racist supporters (you, Kirk) feeling empowered to freely express your racism and hate.
Today, the word “racism” has lost it’s meaning due to overuse by individuals as you exemplify. Now, it simply means someone disagrees with you.
When is the last time you heard the “n” word, or another racial slur. When is the last time you heard someone say that “I don’t hire _____” This is what I mean by “overt.” If people demonstrate racism today, it is much more suble.
“Overt racism is largely non-existent today”?
You must be very, very young. You’re obviously unaware of who the “president” is…
I can’t remember the last Republican Presidential candidate Democrats haven’t branded “racist”. It’s a right of passage.
First, the word is “rite”, not “right”.
Second, the racism of our current “president” is about a subtle as a a neon sign blinking in your bedroom.
Had you been aware of Trump’s history (greatly influenced by his father’s bigotry), you might hesitate to be so flippant about our reservations concerning having this multiple felon for president.
FWIW, neither George H.W. Bush nor George W. Bush ruled (or broadcast) as racists. And both were friends with Bill Clinton. And unlike you, they scorned racism.
Donald Trump is not only a racist, he is the most stupid president we’ve ever had. Bar none.
You accuse President Trump of racism, but cites no examples. Funny, since you always demand evidence when criticising others.
I also suspect your great grandfather would be considered racist by today’s standards. Should you be judged by him?
“Racism” has lost all meaning today: You are racist if you believe reparations are inappropriate, you are racist if you believe race should not be used in college admissions, you are racist if you believe Affirmative Action has run it’s course, you are racist if you criticise a Black politician, you are racist if you are against the teaching of CRT principles in schools, you are racist if you are a fiscal conservative, you are racist if you vote Republican, according to CRT, you are racist if you are White and most absurd, you are racist if you are a Black man who disagrees with far-left woke ideology. Well, I,m sure Donald Trump, and I, and the majority of the rest of the world fit into one of those categories. You may too.
This whole immigration sweep is an intimidation event. First and foremost, almost all of the people being swept up ARE NOT the worst of the worst! The vast majority of the people being swept up are following the piss poor immigration process we have. Neither party has seriously addressed and fixed the problem. During the campaign leading up to the 2024 election, when Trump found out about a bipartisan effort to address immigration being led by a conservative from Oklahoma, he told the GOP to vote it down, which they promptly did. Trump needed the immigration issue for his election, so he could look tough. Now here we are with thugs roaming the streets of Minnesota and more ICE trolls in Colorado acting out their best Rambo imitation! What a mess this country is in one year of Trumpty Dumpty!
Leaving an Ace of Spades in a detainee’s vehicle isn’t a “random” gesture; it’s a calculated use of ‘death card’ symbolism rooted in psychological warfare—an act of intimidation that requires historical literacy, not a “woke” agenda, to identify. Currently, the Chicano community is bearing the brunt of a federal agency that is overstepping its legal mandate by mimicking local law enforcement through unauthorized traffic stops and unmarked sirens. To dismiss these documented civil rights concerns as a “woke narrative” is a lazy rhetorical tactic used to dodge an intelligent argument about the rule of law. True civic responsibility involves holding institutions accountable for systemic overreach, and those who use buzzwords to deflect from these realities are simply choosing ignorance over an informed, constitutional debate
Recent rulings by Federal judges, some Democrat appointed, seem to disagree with you about Federal authority overstepping their bounds. The most recent being that the ICE surge in Minneapolis is constitutional. But then, they haven’t checked with you.
Micro-aggressions are so 2023. We are now in the age of potential, future, infinitesimal violations of ever evolving political correctness fashions. Cross the line at your own risk. To avoid doing so fall in line as silence will not suffice as silence is violence.
Not to worry, so much, Colorado Dem’s and illegal immigrants. We left the Ace of Spades only on the DEAD enemies.
Our Colorado Dem’s should have much more to worry about and the Sentinel again, raises concerns over such a trivial, current matter.
And Kirk, your “close to 0% of individuals are aware of the ace-of-spades being a “death card.” leaves out almost 100% of Viet Nam veterans.
I wonder if this Ace of Spades is just a “cute” business card and not a death threat. How people just grasp at straws. This is so very not news worthy.
I stand corrected on the “ace of spades comment.”