ABOUT US
With every week bringing news of another set of assaults on Americans' foundational rights and values, there is no shortage of worthwhile causes that need our attention and effort. As so many demands compete for our limited time and energy, it's more important than ever to know that the actions we take can have a meaningful impact.
Boycott Citizens is a volunteer-run project that grew out of a desire to find and share strategic, tangible ways regular people can counter the fear and oppression ICE is sowing in our communities.
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Since this project got started, we've met so many people who embody the very best of our country: a tenacious commitment to freedom and justice for all our neighbors, a deep sense of civic duty, an inspiring ability to imagine a better future and the drive to bring that future to life. ​​​​​​We're grateful to these organizers, faith leaders, activists, industry experts, and academics for their guidance and encouragement, and also for the hope they give us for the future.
​​​To all those working to care for their neighbors and hold power to account every day, thank you for standing by your country. ​​​​​​​​
BEHIND THE PROJECT
In addition to implementing the Trump administration's cruelest policies, ICE has been a critical tool in its attacks on free speech and due process. Looking for effective, nonviolent ways to oppose the harm ICE is doing every day in our communities, we started by first looking at how they're spending our taxpayer dollars.
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According to data from USAspending.gov, more than 2/3 of ICE's Enforcement & Removal Operations FY2025 budget went to hundreds of private companies across the country.
We mapped ICE's contractors and then conducted a broad analysis of dozens of them, looking specifically those contractors profiting from the detention, transportation, and surveillance of immigrant communities. ​
THE QUESTIONS
What is their role in
the system?
How many people will their work directly or indirectly harm given current and proposed immigration policy?
1​
How critical is this specific company?
What's the total value of their ICE contracts? How many companies do what they do and how easily could they be replaced?
2
Are they vulnerable to public pressure?
Are there any unique opportunities to engage in actions that could meaningfully impact them?
3
In every category of question we asked, two companies stood out:
CoreCivic & The GEO Group.
