Cogressional leaders demand answers on ICE fake traffic stops and “death cards”
- Voces Unidas Action Fund
- 14 minutes ago
- 2 min read
As our community is aware, last month in Eagle County, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained nine Latino community members during a series of fake traffic stops. A tenth person was detained as he was walking to a bus stop.
After the detentions, family members discovered ace of spades cards — commonly known as “death cards” — left inside at least two abandoned vehicles.
“We are outraged by how ICE carried out these detentions in Eagle County,” said Alex Sánchez, president and CEO of Voces Unidas. “Fake traffic stops, racial profiling, and leaving a so-called ‘death card’ behind undermine public trust and have no place here. We deserve accountability and an end to these lawless tactics.”
Voces Unidas took immediate action, briefing both of Colorado’s U.S. Senators and calling for urgent federal accountability. We asked elected leaders to demand:
A formal and detailed DHS and ICE briefing on the Eagle County operation
An independent Inspector General investigation into the Denver Field Office
Written confirmation of disciplinary or corrective action
Federal policy banning intimidation tactics and threatening symbolism in immigration enforcement
Colorado’s Senators responded quickly. On January 29, Senator John Hickenlooper addressed the reported use of these “death cards” from the Senate floor, condemning the intimidation of Latino communities and raising serious concerns about ICE’s conduct in Eagle County.
Senator Michael Bennet engaged directly, visiting Voces Unidas in Glenwood Springs on January 31 to receive an in-person briefing on the Eagle County activity, and broader concerns about ICE enforcement tactics across the Western Slope.
On February 3, Senator Hickenlooper, joined by Senator Bennet and Representatives Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen, took strong action by sending a formal letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
“It is unacceptable and dangerous for federal law enforcement to use this symbol to intimidate Latino communities,” wrote the Colorado lawmakers. “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.”
In addition to condemning the use of these “death cards,” lawmakers demanded accountability for deceptive tactics during the stops, including ICE agents using police-style lights and sirens to make drivers believe they were being pulled over by local law enforcement, even though federal agents have no authority to enforce state traffic laws.
“Federal agents acting in disguise as local law enforcement is misconduct and should be treated as such,” the lawmakers wrote.
The Colorado delegation has requested a full DHS briefing, an independent Inspector General investigation, written findings, and confirmation of disciplinary or corrective action. They requested a response by February 13.
This is an important step forward, and Voces Unidas is grateful to Senators Hickenlooper and Bennet and the Colorado delegation for taking this seriously and demanding oversight.
We will udpdate the community once we have more answers.