On Saturday, Donald Trump initiated a poll on his social media platform, Truth Social, proposing a name change for the immigration agency ICE to NICE, standing for National Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Trump argued that this new name would completely bewilder what he describes as dishonest and unpatriotic journalists.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump praised the agency's officers as "hardworking patriots doing a fantastic job in a very hostile environment," blaming Democrats and the media for the existing hostility.
According to Trump, the rationale behind the name change is mainly semantic and media-driven: if journalists had to report "today we visited a NICE center" or "NICE agents deported a violent drug trafficker," he claimed, "they wouldn’t be able to handle it, they'd go crazy!"
The proposal simply involves adding an "N" for "National" to the existing acronym, which Trump says would result in "a much more prestigious name."
However, Trump also shared that Tom Homan, the so-called "border czar" overseeing immigration policy and deportations, informed him that ICE agents themselves are not as enthusiastic about the change as the general public might be.
The poll garnered 41,487 votes with 22 hours remaining at the time of the snapshot, alongside 3,300 reposts and over 10,000 likes on the platform.
This idea is not entirely new; the suggestion to rename ICE as NICE has been circulating on social media since at least March 25, 2026, and Trump has previously described it as a "great idea" before formalizing it through this public consultation.
It's important to note that officially renaming a federal agency requires congressional approval and cannot be done by presidential decree.
This episode unfolds amid Trump's more aggressive immigration policies during his second term. In June 2026, Congress approved a roughly $70 billion package for immigration funding, with approximately $38 billion specifically allocated to ICE.
The agency has been at the forefront of public debate for months. In 2025, there were reports of 32 deaths in ICE custody, the highest level in over two decades, and the "Abolish ICE" movement has gained momentum among activists and Democratic lawmakers.
Trump has set a goal of deporting up to a million people annually, although independent estimates place the actual deportations during the first year of his second term between 400,000 and 700,000 people.
Trump concluded his post with his signature sign-off: "Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT."
Key Points about Trump's Proposal to Rename ICE
Why does Trump want to rename ICE to NICE?
Trump believes the new name would confuse journalists he considers dishonest and unpatriotic, while highlighting the agency's national role.
Is the name change for ICE official?
No, an official name change requires congressional approval, not just a presidential decree.
How has the public responded to the proposal?
The poll on Truth Social received significant engagement, including thousands of votes, reposts, and likes.
What is the context of this proposal?
The proposal comes amid heightened debate over immigration policies during Trump's second term, with significant funding allocated to ICE for enforcement.