In a chilling display of intimidation, federal agents have been leaving behind "death cards" - customized playing cards with the phrase "ICE Denver Field Office" and an image of an ace of spades - after conducting fake traffic stops on Latino workers in Eagle County, Colorado. These cards are part of a long history of racist intimidation used by U.S. authorities to silence marginalized communities.
The origins of these cards date back to the Vietnam War, where they were used to adorn the bodies of killed Vietnamese soldiers as a symbol of US military might and control. The use of such imagery by law enforcement has been well-documented in various contexts, including recent incidents involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
In this latest case, family members of individuals targeted by ICE found the cards left behind in vehicles during "traffic stops" that were later revealed to be nothing more than ruse to target Latino workers. The cards are not only a stark reminder of the racist underpinnings of US immigration policy but also serve as a chilling warning to those who dare to resist.
The tactics employed by ICE agents in this case - using red and blue flashing lights to mimic local law enforcement agencies, thus duping people into pulling over - highlight a disturbing pattern of abuse of power that has been ongoing for years. The fact that such incidents may not be widely reported due to the mistrust of mainstream human rights groups among immigrant communities underscores the urgent need for greater accountability and transparency from those in positions of authority.
The use of "death cards" by ICE agents is an affront to the very principles of democracy, which rely on a free press and independent journalism to hold those in power accountable. The Intercept has long been at the forefront of this fight, providing critical coverage of authoritarian governments, billionaire oligarchs, and backsliding democracies.
As we move forward in 2026, The Intercept will continue to be guided by its mission to defend democracy and push for a more just society. We rely on the support of readers like you to help us expand our reporting capacity and keep pushing against the boundaries of truth and justice.
The origins of these cards date back to the Vietnam War, where they were used to adorn the bodies of killed Vietnamese soldiers as a symbol of US military might and control. The use of such imagery by law enforcement has been well-documented in various contexts, including recent incidents involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
In this latest case, family members of individuals targeted by ICE found the cards left behind in vehicles during "traffic stops" that were later revealed to be nothing more than ruse to target Latino workers. The cards are not only a stark reminder of the racist underpinnings of US immigration policy but also serve as a chilling warning to those who dare to resist.
The tactics employed by ICE agents in this case - using red and blue flashing lights to mimic local law enforcement agencies, thus duping people into pulling over - highlight a disturbing pattern of abuse of power that has been ongoing for years. The fact that such incidents may not be widely reported due to the mistrust of mainstream human rights groups among immigrant communities underscores the urgent need for greater accountability and transparency from those in positions of authority.
The use of "death cards" by ICE agents is an affront to the very principles of democracy, which rely on a free press and independent journalism to hold those in power accountable. The Intercept has long been at the forefront of this fight, providing critical coverage of authoritarian governments, billionaire oligarchs, and backsliding democracies.
As we move forward in 2026, The Intercept will continue to be guided by its mission to defend democracy and push for a more just society. We rely on the support of readers like you to help us expand our reporting capacity and keep pushing against the boundaries of truth and justice.
OMG, can u believe this?! ICE is literally using "death cards" as a way to intimidate Latino workers? Like, what even is that? 
These cards have such a dark history too, like from the Vietnam War era... it's not just some random thing they came up with. The fact that they're doing this in plain sight, leaving these cards at fake traffic stops, is just mind-blowing. And to make matters worse, they're using tactics like flashing lights to mimic local law enforcement, which is just despicable. 
This whole situation is a total red flag for me - I mean, what's next? 
The Intercept is doing some amazing work as always, shedding light on these issues and pushing for accountability... we need more people like them fighting for justice! 
it's disgusting.
, these "death cards" are like straight out of a bad horror movie! The fact that ICE agents are using this kind of intimidation tactic on Latino workers in Colorado is just disgusting 
. It's like they're trying to control people's minds or something - who does that? 
.
. It's like they're taking all this abuse and then passing the blame around, saying "oh, we were just doing our job"... no way! 
We need to hold these people accountable and make sure that everyone is treated fairly and with respect.
anyway, its def not cool how they're being used now tho. i feel 4 the latino workers who got targeted & intimidated. but at the same time, i don't think we should be bashing ICE agents out of hand 
they might not all be racist or corrupt (some are actually trying to do good). anywayz gotta say tho, its super sus that they're doing these fake traffic stops & leaving death cards 4 ppl who dont even break no law 
. These people are being treated like criminals, not even given a chance to explain themselves. And for what? Because of their skin color or where they come from? It's sickening.
The fact that family members found these cards in vehicles after being pulled over suggests a level of cruelty and disregard for human life. We need to see some real change from our lawmakers, especially when it comes to addressing systemic racism and bias within law enforcement agencies 
. And can we talk about how creepy it is that these cards have been used in the past to symbolize US military might? Like what even is this? We've come so far from where we were in 2017 when this whole immigration debate started, but it seems like we're taking two steps back 
. Can't we just have a fair and open conversation about how to handle these complex issues?
gotta expose these shady tactics ASAP 
, can't believe this is still happening in 2026... these "death cards" are straight out of a horror movie 
. It's like they're trying to break people's spirits before they even get a chance to resist. And the fact that they're using fake traffic stops to target Latino workers? That's just despicable 
ICE's tactics are straight outta a horror movie, but what's even crazier is that these "death cards" have been around since Vietnam? Like, how do we still be dealing with this kind of racist intimidation in 2025? It's not just about the Latino workers being targeted, it's also about the fact that people are being pulled over for no reason and then receiving these creepy cards. It's like, what's next?