A Long Island elementary school nurse has been reassigned following a firestorm of outrage after allegedly wearing a jacket emblazoned with the acronym “ICE” during a schoolwide “Superhero Day” event — a move that many parents and educators have denounced as politically charged and inappropriate for a school environment.

The incident occurred at Northwest Elementary School in Amityville on Wednesday, coinciding with both the themed school day and a kindergarten moving-up ceremony. According to a statement from the Amityville Union Free School District, the district became aware of an allegation involving a staff member who had “affixed an acronym to their clothing that was perceived by some members of the school community as offensive or inappropriate.”

Though the district did not officially confirm the nature of the acronym, Nakia Wolfe, president of the Amityville Teachers’ Association, told Newsday that the letters on the nurse’s jacket spelled out “ICE,” referring to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency — a polarizing institution at the center of heated national immigration debates.

“Upon learning of the situation, the staff member was immediately reassigned to a non-school setting pending a full review,” the district said in a statement. “Our top priority is to ensure that our schools remain safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces for all students and families.”

The unnamed nurse’s attire has drawn sharp criticism from both school staff and members of the Amityville community, many of whom viewed the jacket as an unnecessary and provocative political statement during an event meant to celebrate students.

“Why would you come into a setting of learning to make any type of political stance like that?” Wolfe said. “It’s just completely inappropriate.”

Hilda Brown, a teacher at the school, confirmed that the incident occurred on “Superhero Day,” when students were encouraged to dress as their favorite superheroes. It remains unclear whether the nurse intended the ICE jacket to symbolize heroism or if it was worn for another reason, but the effect has been explosive.

Local parents expressed disbelief and anger upon learning about the incident.

“That’s utterly disgusting. This is the world we’re living in now?” Marquise Gordon, a parent picking up his child from school, told News 12 Long Island. Another parent, Jackie Sauls, added, “People are already fearful as it is. There’s no right in that.”

The controversy comes at a time of heightened tension across the country over ICE activity and immigration policy. Violent anti-ICE protests erupted earlier this week in Los Angeles, with unrest beginning to spread to other major cities. In New York City, 86 demonstrators were arrested at a protest in Lower Manhattan. Meanwhile, on Long Island, residents have reported increased ICE presence in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

On Wednesday morning — the same day as the incident at Northwest Elementary — ICE agents reportedly detained multiple individuals near a train station parking lot in Glen Cove, according to local police. ICE operations were also spotted in Bellport and Riverhead, and small anti-ICE demonstrations have emerged in response, including in Bellport and New Cassel.

The climate of fear and anxiety surrounding immigration enforcement has made the alleged actions of the nurse especially distressing for some in the school community, where many families may be directly affected by such issues.

“It’s not just about what letters were on a jacket,” said a parent who asked to remain anonymous. “It’s about what those letters mean to families — fear, trauma, and division. That has no place in a classroom.”

As the district continues its investigation, it has declined to release the identity of the staff member involved. Wolfe confirmed that the employee is a nurse at Northwest Elementary but emphasized that the focus now must remain on protecting students and maintaining an inclusive environment.

While some members of the public have argued that the reaction may be overblown, school officials stand by their decision to act swiftly.

“We must always be mindful of how our actions — even if unintentional — may be perceived in a diverse community,” Wolfe added. “There’s a time and place for political discourse, but a kindergarten graduation isn’t it.”

The school district has not yet provided a timeline for the conclusion of the investigation or whether disciplinary action will follow.

As of Thursday morning, the story continues to spark intense debate online, with hundreds of comments from both sides weighing in on the controversy.