Feds Leave Behind Graphic Warning After Raiding Immigrant Families, Sparking Fear and Intimidation
In a disturbing incident in Eagle County, Colorado, federal agents left behind customized playing cards with the phrase "ICE Denver Field Office" after raiding two families of immigrants. The cards, which feature an ace of spades design, have been linked to a history of racial violence and intimidation against minority groups.
According to Voces Unidas, an immigrant rights organization that took possession of one of the cards, they were not part of a doctored deck but were designed with a specific legacy in mind. The group's president, Alex Sánchez, described the incident as "an act of intimidation" and an example of ICE's tactics to instill fear in communities.
The use of death cards, which originated during the Vietnam War, has been documented in various military contexts. In the 1960s, US troops used such cards on Vietnamese corpses, and in the 1970s, a film adaptation of Joseph Conrad's "Apocalypse Now" featured a scene with unit-branded playing cards reading "DEATH FROM ABOVE." More recently, Customs and Border Protection has been spotted using similar imagery during immigration raids.
ICE officials have declined to comment on their use of the death cards, but the agency has promised to investigate the incident. The incident highlights the ongoing concerns about ICE's tactics and its impact on immigrant communities, particularly in areas with high concentrations of Latino workers.
As one federal official pointed out, the ace of spades is also a trump card in a popular card game, which could suggest that the death cards are intended as a form of intimidation. Whatever their purpose, the use of such graphic warnings by ICE agents raises serious questions about the agency's commitment to upholding democratic values and respecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.
In a broader context, the incident underscores the need for journalists and media outlets to critically examine the actions of government agencies like ICE and hold them accountable for any abuses of power. As the use of such intimidation tactics by these agencies becomes more common, it is essential that we speak out against them and support efforts to promote truth, transparency, and accountability in our democratic institutions.
In a disturbing incident in Eagle County, Colorado, federal agents left behind customized playing cards with the phrase "ICE Denver Field Office" after raiding two families of immigrants. The cards, which feature an ace of spades design, have been linked to a history of racial violence and intimidation against minority groups.
According to Voces Unidas, an immigrant rights organization that took possession of one of the cards, they were not part of a doctored deck but were designed with a specific legacy in mind. The group's president, Alex Sánchez, described the incident as "an act of intimidation" and an example of ICE's tactics to instill fear in communities.
The use of death cards, which originated during the Vietnam War, has been documented in various military contexts. In the 1960s, US troops used such cards on Vietnamese corpses, and in the 1970s, a film adaptation of Joseph Conrad's "Apocalypse Now" featured a scene with unit-branded playing cards reading "DEATH FROM ABOVE." More recently, Customs and Border Protection has been spotted using similar imagery during immigration raids.
ICE officials have declined to comment on their use of the death cards, but the agency has promised to investigate the incident. The incident highlights the ongoing concerns about ICE's tactics and its impact on immigrant communities, particularly in areas with high concentrations of Latino workers.
As one federal official pointed out, the ace of spades is also a trump card in a popular card game, which could suggest that the death cards are intended as a form of intimidation. Whatever their purpose, the use of such graphic warnings by ICE agents raises serious questions about the agency's commitment to upholding democratic values and respecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.
In a broader context, the incident underscores the need for journalists and media outlets to critically examine the actions of government agencies like ICE and hold them accountable for any abuses of power. As the use of such intimidation tactics by these agencies becomes more common, it is essential that we speak out against them and support efforts to promote truth, transparency, and accountability in our democratic institutions.
It's just low, you know? They raid families, take 'em away, and then leave behind these super graphic warnings that are straight outta a bad horror movie. And now we find out they've been using 'em in other places too... it's like they're trying to create some kinda atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Newsflash: it ain't gonna work, dude. We see through this stuff, and we're not gonna let it stand. 
. but then i started thinking about how that's exactly what we need more of in this world - joy and cuteness in all sorts of situations 
. like, can't we just focus on spreading positivity instead of fear and intimidation? it's not like we're dealing with a serious issue, just a bunch of people trying to live their lives 
. anyway, back to the card thing... is that a new thing they're doing at ICE or has this been going on forever?
This is totally unacceptable! I mean, what kind of message does ICE want to send with those cards? Like, who needs a "DEATH FROM ABOVE" vibe when you're trying to enforce the law? 
And what really gets my goat is that these cards have been used before, like in Vietnam and stuff, which just shows how messed up our history is. 
We need to hold ICE accountable for their actions and make sure they're treating everyone with respect and dignity, no matter their immigration status. 
It's not too much to ask, right? 
... I mean, can you imagine if the tables were turned and they used this kinda thing on a group of police officers or soldiers? It would be a total disaster 
. But no, ICE gets to use it on innocent people who are just trying to live their lives without any problems 
. And the fact that they left these cards behind like some kind of twisted calling card is just amazing 
. I'm not surprised that the immigration rights org took possession of one of them and exposed it for what it was - a blatant act of intimidation 
. We need to hold ICE accountable for their actions and make sure they're not terrorizing people in our communities 
. It's time to stand up against this kind of abuse of power 
about ICE leaving behind those super graphic warning cards after raiding immigrant families 
in Eagle County, CO... can u imagine being on the receiving end of that? 
i mean what's next? 
those death cards have a super dark history too 
from US troops using them on Vietnamese corpses during the Vietnam War to customs agents using similar imagery during immigration raids 
and we need 2 speak out against it ASAP 
. We knew that law enforcement was supposed to uphold the law, not bully people into submission. This kind of thing just makes me wanna scream 
!
. and can we talk about how this is just another example of the systemic racism that's been going on in this country? 
i'm so tired of these agencies acting like they're above the law and using tactics that are straight-up psychological warfare 
. what's next, a deck of cards with a message saying "we're watching you"? 
, what's next gonna be raiding families with swat teams? 
. I mean, who does that? Leaving these graphic warnings at a raid site is like something out of a bad movie - it's just not right. It's clear ICE is trying to instill fear in immigrant communities and it's having the opposite effect 
ICE needs to get their act together, fam! 
They're supposed to be enforcing laws not instilling fear in innocent people. And those playing cards? Who does that?! 
but still face deportation 
and we wonder why they're so scared? 
btw, 90% of ICE raids occur in areas with high concentrations of Latino workers 
70% of those detained report being subjected to physical or verbal abuse 
