Federal agents have been leaving behind "death cards," customized playing cards emblazoned with the address of an ICE field office and a message that reads, "ICE Denver Field Office," after conducting immigration raids in Eagle County, Colorado. The cards were found on vehicles belonging to family members of immigrants who were targeted by the agents.
The cards are reminiscent of a dark period in U.S. history, when the Vietnam War military used similar playing cards with the ace of spades to signify the deaths of Vietnamese people. In some cases, these cards would be placed in the mouths or on the bodies of the deceased soldiers.
Local immigrant rights group Voces Unidas is outraged by ICE's actions and describes them as an act of intimidation meant to instill fear. Alex Sánchez, president and CEO of Voces Unidas, said that leaving such cards behind after conducting fake traffic stops is a form of racial violence rooted in a long history of racism.
The use of these playing cards has been criticized by lawmakers, who say they are an attempt to bully and intimidate Latino workers into not speaking out against their treatment. Sen. John Hickenlooper recently spoke out about the issue, describing it as a racist tactic meant to silence marginalized communities.
This incident is not an isolated case, but rather part of a larger trend of ICE using intimidation tactics to control immigrant populations. Other reports have shown that immigration agents are using similar imagery and tactics, including wearing patches with symbols associated with far-right groups.
As the Intercept reported earlier, immigration agents in Minnesota were spotted wearing a patch reading "DEPLORABLE," which is reminiscent of a term used by Donald Trump supporters during his campaign. The use of such language and imagery suggests that ICE is trying to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation among immigrant communities.
The cards are reminiscent of a dark period in U.S. history, when the Vietnam War military used similar playing cards with the ace of spades to signify the deaths of Vietnamese people. In some cases, these cards would be placed in the mouths or on the bodies of the deceased soldiers.
Local immigrant rights group Voces Unidas is outraged by ICE's actions and describes them as an act of intimidation meant to instill fear. Alex Sánchez, president and CEO of Voces Unidas, said that leaving such cards behind after conducting fake traffic stops is a form of racial violence rooted in a long history of racism.
The use of these playing cards has been criticized by lawmakers, who say they are an attempt to bully and intimidate Latino workers into not speaking out against their treatment. Sen. John Hickenlooper recently spoke out about the issue, describing it as a racist tactic meant to silence marginalized communities.
This incident is not an isolated case, but rather part of a larger trend of ICE using intimidation tactics to control immigrant populations. Other reports have shown that immigration agents are using similar imagery and tactics, including wearing patches with symbols associated with far-right groups.
As the Intercept reported earlier, immigration agents in Minnesota were spotted wearing a patch reading "DEPLORABLE," which is reminiscent of a term used by Donald Trump supporters during his campaign. The use of such language and imagery suggests that ICE is trying to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation among immigrant communities.