Bernice King, the daughter of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., has called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to study her father’s nonviolence teachings, asserting their vital relevance amid escalating political tensions and recent violent incidents. Her advocacy emerges just before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which she describes as a “saving grace” in the current troubling climate, offering a moral compass in times of division.
In a CNN interview published on January 18, 2026, King specifically addressed the need for ICE to adopt nonviolent principles, particularly in light of a fatal shooting by ICE agents in Minneapolis earlier this month. She argued that nonviolence should be integral to all law enforcement training, helping officers carry out their duties while upholding human dignity and preventing unnecessary harm.
King’s comments are set against a broader political backdrop where the Trump administration has intensified immigration enforcement, leading to raids, family separations, and confrontations in multiple cities. She referenced her father’s 1967 speech on the “three evils” of poverty, racism, and militarism, suggesting that these issues are manifesting under current leadership, with policies rolling back diversity initiatives and historical accuracy.
As CEO of the King Center, King revealed plans to redevelop a curriculum focused on Kingian nonviolence for law enforcement agencies. This educational tool aims to translate MLK’s philosophy into practical methodologies, encouraging agents to see beyond enforcement to the humanity of those they encounter, thus reducing violence and building trust.
The White House responded by stating that President Trump’s actions are in the best interest of Americans, including deporting criminal aliens and correcting historical narratives. However, civil rights advocates like Maya Wiley support King, warning that the administration is actively dismantling civil rights progress and erasing the movement’s legacy.
Despite these challenges, King highlighted the nation’s progress since the civil rights era, noting increased political participation and diversity. She urged people to use MLK Day for introspection and service, fostering empathy and connection rather than focusing solely on external problems.
King emphasized that nonviolence is not passive but a proactive approach to justice, applicable to both protestors and authorities. She called for annual reflection on societal advancements, using the holiday as a measure of how far we’ve come and what remains to be done in pursuit of a beloved community.
Her message resonates as a reminder of hope and action, encouraging a renewed commitment to MLK’s ideals in facing contemporary injustices, from immigration policies to social equity, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire change.
