A Progressive Public School Ditches 'ICE' Amid Trump's Immigration Crackdown
The Institute for Collaborative Education, a progressive public school in Manhattan known by its acronym ICE, has rebranded itself as "Ny.ICE" or simply the Institute for Collaborative Education to distance itself from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The shift comes amid President Donald Trump's second term, during which U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been waging a crackdown on undocumented immigrants nationwide.
Parents and students at Ny.ICE say the old acronym has taken on a grim connotation due to ICE's aggressive enforcement tactics, including deportations of New York City students and recent public school graduates. In response, Principal Peter Karp has urged staff and parents to refer to the school as "Ny.ICE" in official communications to avoid any confusion or emotional responses.
While the school has not formally changed its name, the rebranding has been underway since at least Trump's first term. Students like Mosi Nathan, 16, appreciate the move, saying it helps them feel more inclusive of their community and avoids association with federal ICE.
However, some critics argue that the new moniker is aesthetically clunky. Alison Riley, a parent of a junior at Ny.ICE, acknowledges this but prioritizes avoiding alignment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement's policies, which she says undermines the school's commitment to being a safe haven for children and families.
The Institute for Collaborative Education has long emphasized hands-on, project-based learning and is part of a consortium of schools that use projects, reports, and experiments for assessments instead of standardized tests. The rebranding reflects the growing concern among public school communities about immigration policies reverberating through their halls.
In fact, other public schools across the city have become hubs of resistance against Immigration and Customs Enforcement's crackdowns. Parents and teachers are distributing red cards outlining undocumented immigrants' rights and holding informational sessions for families. Some even create encrypted chats to alert the community if ICE agents were spotted nearby.
The city education department has taken steps to support its immigrant students, including sending guidance to administrators about what to do if federal agents try to enter schools. Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos have encouraged immigrant students to keep coming to class, and the education department has assured that federal law enforcement officials are not permitted in school buildings unless they have a judicial warrant.
The rebranding at Ny.ICE serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between public schools, immigration policies, and community safety.
The Institute for Collaborative Education, a progressive public school in Manhattan known by its acronym ICE, has rebranded itself as "Ny.ICE" or simply the Institute for Collaborative Education to distance itself from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The shift comes amid President Donald Trump's second term, during which U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been waging a crackdown on undocumented immigrants nationwide.
Parents and students at Ny.ICE say the old acronym has taken on a grim connotation due to ICE's aggressive enforcement tactics, including deportations of New York City students and recent public school graduates. In response, Principal Peter Karp has urged staff and parents to refer to the school as "Ny.ICE" in official communications to avoid any confusion or emotional responses.
While the school has not formally changed its name, the rebranding has been underway since at least Trump's first term. Students like Mosi Nathan, 16, appreciate the move, saying it helps them feel more inclusive of their community and avoids association with federal ICE.
However, some critics argue that the new moniker is aesthetically clunky. Alison Riley, a parent of a junior at Ny.ICE, acknowledges this but prioritizes avoiding alignment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement's policies, which she says undermines the school's commitment to being a safe haven for children and families.
The Institute for Collaborative Education has long emphasized hands-on, project-based learning and is part of a consortium of schools that use projects, reports, and experiments for assessments instead of standardized tests. The rebranding reflects the growing concern among public school communities about immigration policies reverberating through their halls.
In fact, other public schools across the city have become hubs of resistance against Immigration and Customs Enforcement's crackdowns. Parents and teachers are distributing red cards outlining undocumented immigrants' rights and holding informational sessions for families. Some even create encrypted chats to alert the community if ICE agents were spotted nearby.
The city education department has taken steps to support its immigrant students, including sending guidance to administrators about what to do if federal agents try to enter schools. Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos have encouraged immigrant students to keep coming to class, and the education department has assured that federal law enforcement officials are not permitted in school buildings unless they have a judicial warrant.
The rebranding at Ny.ICE serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between public schools, immigration policies, and community safety.
. Given the current climate, especially with Trump's second term in office, it's totally understandable that they'd want to distance themselves from an agency that's been causing so much stress and anxiety for students and families. The fact that some people are critical of the new moniker, calling it "aesthetically clunky", is a bit of a missed opportunity for them to think about how their words might impact others 
. Nonetheless, I believe this move sends a powerful message about the school's values and commitment to creating a safe haven for all students, regardless of their immigration status 
.
... like, can't we just focus on supporting our community instead of fighting over aesthetics? 
anyway, i think it's awesome that other schools in the city are taking action to support immigrant families too 
. let's keep spreading love and acceptance! 
they're trying to distance themselves from ICE but it's just gonna come off as a publicity stunt... what's next? renaming the whole country? 
seriously though, if parents and kids are feeling that way about the name "ICE", maybe we should be worried about how far this is gonna go. all these schools doing their own thing with red cards and encrypted chats? it sounds like we're heading towards a full-blown crisis situation... my kid's school does some awesome stuff too, but they don't need to rebrand themselves every time the administration changes its mind... or does that just show how clueless I am to all this politics drama 
. And I guess using "Ny.ICE" is better than nothing... but it still looks kinda silly 
anyway the thing that bothers me is how much of this is getting lost in the "oh we're not gonna use the word ICE anymore, isn't that so progressive?" 
. Still, changing the name just feels like a Band-Aid solution...
I think this is awesome! The fact that they're rebranding themselves from ICE to just "Ny.ICE" shows how much those students and parents care about being inclusive and safe for everyone in their community. It's like, yeah the name change might sound a little awkward, but it's totally worth it if it means avoiding any association with those deportation tactics 
. I mean, who wants to be linked to an agency that's all about separating families? Not me, that's for sure 
! The parents and teachers are being super proactive in spreading awareness about immigrant rights too... it's like, we're not just about education, we're also about being a safe space 
. Schools shd b havin more of these kinds of conversations, imo 
. It's like my grandma used to say, "When in doubt, keep it simple."
. It's like, if you're a school with a name that's kinda tied to an agency that's known for being super harsh on undocumented immigrants, maybe it's time to distance yourself from the whole 'ICE' thing 
. It's not just about avoiding association with ICE's policies, but also about setting an example for other schools in the community 
. Educators and parents are taking matters into their own hands to support immigrant students and families. It's not always easy, but it's clear that they care deeply about creating a welcoming environment for all 
. We need more of these kinds of initiatives to promote understanding, empathy, and inclusivity 
I mean, what's up with this whole thing? So now we're just gonna change the name of a school to avoid association with ICE? That's like, super vague 
. And what about all the parents who want to associate their kids with a school that's actually doing something positive? I don't get why we can't have a little bit of pride in our schools 
. And let's be real, the whole "ICE" thing has taken on a whole new meaning since Trump came into office 
. It's like, super uncomfortable for kids to have their schoolmates being targeted by immigration enforcement just because of who they are or where they're from 
, but I'm all about prioritizing community and inclusivity over aesthetics 
.
. And hey, even if there aren't any actual ICE agents at the school, having a plan in place can still make you feel safer and more supported 
. Can we have schools where everyone feels welcome, no matter what their story is? 
I say, let's keep pushing for it 
I feel the school's decision to change its name is a good move, especially considering the impact ICE has on students and families 
. I'm loving all the resistance happening across the city too - those parents and teachers are truly making a difference by organizing and standing up for what's right 
Schools always try to distance themselves from controversy, but sometimes it's just a name change 
. I mean, can't we just have a straightforward conversation about immigration instead of rebranding everything? And what's with the parents who think it looks clunky? Like, hello, your kid is probably gonna see the new logo on their school ID anyway