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President Donald Trump suggested Saturday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement could be renamed “NICE” instead of ICE.
In a post on Truth Social, the president argued that adding an “N” for “National” to the agency’s name would help counter what he described as negative media portrayals of immigration enforcement officers.
“The concept I have had for quite some time: A strong feeling that the name of these Patriots, ‘ICE,’ should be changed to, ‘NICE,'” he wrote.
The president launched an online poll asking supporters whether they preferred the terms “ICE Agents” or “NICE Agents.” The poll drew thousands of responses shortly after being posted.
President Trump said the proposed name change would make it more difficult for critics and media outlets to portray the agency’s work negatively.
“For them to say, ‘We went to a NICE Facility today,’ as opposed to ‘ICE,’ or, ‘NICE Agents have deported a Violent Drug Dealer,’ they won’t be able to handle it,” he added.
The president praised immigration officers as “Great Patriots” who work in difficult and often hostile environments while carrying out the administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
It remains uncertain whether the president was seriously considering an official name change or simply using the idea as a political message. The White House did not immediately announce any response regarding the agency’s renaming.
President Trump previously endorsed the idea in a Truth Social post in April. After a viral post stated, “I want Trump to change ICE to NICE (National Immigration and Customs Enforcement) so the media has to say NICE agents all day everyday,” he responded with, “GREAT IDEA!!! DO IT.”
The comments come amid heightened national debate over immigration enforcement and ongoing protests surrounding ICE operations. Demonstrations have occurred in several cities in recent months, including outside the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in New Jersey, where activists have protested federal detention and deportation policies.
Whether the “NICE” proposal will evolve beyond a social media post remains uncertain, but the idea has already sparked discussion among supporters and critics of the administration’s immigration policies.
