ICE Investigating Use of Death Symbol Cards Left in Vehicles After Colorado Detentions

By Christa Swanson | CBS Colorado

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has released a statement condemning the actions of those leaving ace of spades cards, or “death cards,” in the vehicles of people detained in a county in Colorado’s mountains.

Immigration advocacy group Voces Unidas first reported the practice on Thursday, stating that the cards were left inside abandoned vehicles in Eagle County after the detainment of nine Latino community members this week. The cards feature an ace of spades with “ICE Denver Field Office” at the top of the card and the address and phone number of the ICE detention facility in Aurora on Oakland Street. They were later found by family members.

The practice of leaving an ace of spades as a calling card reportedly began with the U.S. military during the Vietnam War when Company C, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry would leave them at the entrances and exits of villages where Viet Cong members were killed, along trails, or on the bodies of Viet Cong members.

Voces Unidas believes ICE agents were emulating this behavior with these cards.

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