Bennet, Hickenlooper, DeGette, Neguse, Crow, Pettersen Condemn Reports of Racist “Death Cards,” Request Independent Investigation, Full Briefing

Feb 4, 2026| Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper, and Representatives Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen to condemn reports that families in Eagle County, Colorado, found "death cards" left in the cars of family members taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The lawmakers called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General to open an investigation and requested a full DHS briefing on the incidents and steps taken to prevent further intimidation of Latino communities.

"It is unacceptable and dangerous for federal law enforcement to use this symbol to intimidate Latino communities," wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and the Representatives. "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."

"Death cards" have a history of being used by white supremacist groups to intimidate people of color. These specific cards found in Colorado had the address and phone number of the Aurora ICE detention facility printed on them.

Last week, Bennet took to the Senate floor to condemn ICE's violence and lawlessness and denounce the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. He also voted against the continuing resolution to extend DHS funding because it failed to overhaul ICE or place enforceable limits on its use of force.

Bennet has consistently fought the Trump Administration's punitive immigration policies. Bennet continues to call on Secretary Noem to resign. Last week, Bennet announced he was working on legislation to enact commonsense reforms to DHS. He also introduced six amendments to the FY26 DHS appropriations bill that would protect children and families, bar enforcement at sensitive locations, and prohibit officers from wearing masks while requiring visible identification. In February 2025, Bennet joined his Senate colleagues to introduce the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would reinstate DHS's long-standing policies to prevent ICE from making arrests at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and places of worship. In August 2025, he joined the Immigration Enforcement Identification Safety (IEIS) Act to prohibit immigration enforcement officials from wearing masks and to require them to wear visible identification. In November 2025, Bennet joined his colleagues in introducing the bicameral Restoring Access to Detainees Act, legislation to ensure DHS allows noncitizens who have been detained to contact their legal counsel and families. Earlier this month, Bennet joined his colleagues in introducing the Providing Useful Budgets for Localities to Invest in Cops by Substituting Appropriations from Federal Enforcement To Yield Results (PUBLIC SAFETY) Act, legislation to redirect nearly $75 billion in funding passed in the Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) from ICE and send it instead to local law enforcement programs to help hire and train 200,000 local police officers in communities across the country.

The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

Dear Secretary Noem:

We are writing regarding disturbing reports about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in Eagle County, Colorado. Reportedly, ICE agents in unmarked vehicles with attached sirens conducted imitation traffic stops and ultimately detained ten Latino individuals who are now being held at the Aurora Detention Facility. Additionally, according to multiple news reports and local community organizations, family members of the detained individuals found ace of spades cards inside multiple abandoned vehicles, printed with the address of the Aurora Detention Facility:

We are deeply concerned by the allegations that the federal agents were utilizing sirens to falsely act as local law enforcement. This behavior leads individuals to believe they are lawfully required to pull over for a traffic violation when in reality, the federal government has no authority over local or state traffic regulations. Federal agents acting in disguise as local law enforcement is misconduct and should be treated as such.

Moreover, the ace of spades card has long been known as the "death card" and has been used by white supremacist groups to inspire fear and threaten physical violence. It is unacceptable and dangerous for federal law enforcement to use this symbol to intimidate Latino communities. 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.

We appreciate that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) condemned this conduct and directed the DHS Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate the incident. To ensure that ICE conducts operations in a professional manner that does not include racially-motivated intimidation tactics that undermine public trust in law enforcement, we request:

1. A formal and detailed briefing on ICE activities in Eagle County

1. A written report detailing the findings of the ongoing DHS investigation into the incident

1. An independent investigation by the DHS Office of Inspector General into the activities of the Denver Field Office, which oversees ICE activity in Eagle County

1. Written confirmation of any disciplinary or corrective actions taken

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We respectfully request a response by February 13.

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