Senator John Hickenlooper voted against DHS funding January 30 after ICE agents left ace of spades cards in vehicles of detained immigrants in Eagle County. On February 5, he announced Republicans have eight days to overhaul ICE before DHS shuts down.
Family members retrieved abandoned vehicles January 21 from U.S. 6 near Minturn and found playing cards printed with “ICE Denver Field Office” and the Aurora detention center address. U.S. soldiers left identical cards on enemy bodies during Vietnam War as psychological warfare.
Hickenlooper led Colorado colleagues February 3 demanding investigation. The letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem requested formal briefing on Eagle County ICE activities, written investigation report, independent Inspector General probe, and confirmation of disciplinary actions. Response deadline: February 13.
The letter cited allegations ICE agents used sirens on unmarked vehicles mimicking local law enforcement. “Federal agents acting in disguise as local law enforcement is misconduct and should be treated as such,” the lawmakers wrote.
DHS condemned the cards. “ICE is investigating this situation but unequivocally condemns this type of action and/or officer conduct,” the department stated.
Hickenlooper’s February 5 Substack threatened shutdown: “We forced Republicans to strip the funding. Now, the President and Republicans have EIGHT days to overhaul ICE and end their lawlessness before DHS shuts down. The clock is ticking.”
Government funding expires February 15. Hickenlooper used the death cards to justify his vote against DHS funding five days after the cards were discovered and five days before demanding investigation.
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