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.
#BoycottCitizens 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.
Without ever meeting them, Thomas Paine wrote about these Americans' spirit and dedication—and their struggle—250 years ago:
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These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.
​​​To all those working to care for their neighbors and hold power to account every day, thank you for standing by your country.
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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, approximately 2/3 of ICE's Enforcement & Removal Operations 2025 budget is going to hundreds of contractors 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.
