The Institute for Collaborative Education (ICE), a progressive public school in Manhattan, has announced a rebranding initiative to distance itself from the negative associations linked to its acronym. The shift comes as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has intensified its enforcement actions during recent years, resulting in the deportation of students and recent graduates from New York City public schools. To better reflect its values and to avoid emotional responses from the community, the school will now be known as “Ny.ICE,” pronounced “nice.”
Principal Peter Karp communicated this change in a letter to the school community earlier this year, stating, “Moving forward I will be referring to our school community as Ny.ICE or the Institute for Collaborative Education in official communications to avoid any confusion or unnecessary emotional responses to our school’s acronym.” Karp emphasized that while the school was founded in 1993, this adjustment is a necessary response to the current climate in the city and across the nation.
While city education department officials noted that the school has not formally changed its name, the rebranding effort has been gradually taking place since at least the first term of former President Donald Trump. As the climate of immigration enforcement intensified, many families and staff felt that a name change would promote inclusivity.
Student Mosi Nathan, 16, expressed support for the new name, stating, “When you hear the word ICE, it can be pretty triggering for some people. It sounds bad when you’re just like, ‘Oh, I go to ICE.’ You don’t really want to be associated with those people. So I just say Ny.ICE now.”
The school’s website now features both names, while merchandise such as mugs and sweatshirts has adopted the new branding. Students report alternating between the old and new names but have noticed discomfort among some when mentioning “ICE.” Another student, Cheyne Nesbitt, also acknowledged the need for the change, saying, “They changed it because with all the immigration, all the things that are happening with ICE, it’s just not a good look for our school anymore.”
The rebranding reflects a broader trend in New York City’s public schools, which have become centers of resistance against stringent immigration policies. Following the inauguration of the new administration, parents and teachers have actively worked to support undocumented immigrants, distributing information about their rights and organizing community alerts regarding ICE activity. In some instances, these alerts have led to schools moving dismissal indoors to protect families from potential encounters with federal agents.
Despite these challenges, city education department spokesperson Nicole Brownstein confirmed that no immigration agents have entered city public schools this academic year. She stated, “We will always advocate for all of our students, no matter their status. As we have said, we urge our families to continue to send their children to our schools, where they are safe.”
Reports indicate that multiple public school students and their relatives have faced detention and deportation. One notable case involves a Bronx high school student, known by the name Dylan, who was detained by ICE in May 2023 while attending a court appearance. As of now, he remains in detention in Pennsylvania, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures within the school system.
Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos have both encouraged immigrant students to continue attending classes and have provided guidance to school administrators regarding federal agent interactions. Under the city’s sanctuary city policies, federal law enforcement officials are prohibited from entering school buildings without a judicial warrant. School staff have been instructed to contact education department lawyers if federal agents attempt to gain access.
Since 2022, approximately 50,000 migrant students have entered the city’s school system. However, recent reports from Chalkbeat New York indicate a steep decline in enrollment at several public schools that have absorbed a significant number of these students in recent years. As the Institute for Collaborative Education embraces its new identity, it illustrates a significant response to ongoing immigration challenges and the pressing need for a supportive educational environment.
