Boston Clergy Protest Citizens Bank Over ICE Detention Facility Financing

GBIO and about 60 groups protested at Citizens’ shareholder meeting in Providence, demanding the bank sever ties with CoreCivic and GEO Group, builders of ICE detention facilities. Clergy such as Pastor Dieufort Fleurissaint and Rev. Ray Hammond participated.

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GBIO, active for 28 years, has historically been supported by Citizens Bank through programs like financial literacy, with many congregations as customers. The protest marks an unprecedented activism level.

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Pastor Dieufort Fleurissaint (Mattapan ministry), Rev. Ray Hammond (Bethel AME Church, former Citizens Bank board member), CEO Bruce Van Saun, spokesperson Rory Sheehan, and prison firms CoreCivic and GEO Group.

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GBIO estimates Citizens Bank has financed over $2 billion to CoreCivic and GEO Group in the past 12 years. GBIO members hold about $12.7 million at Citizens and threaten $1 million-increment withdrawals beginning on Monday.

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Citizens Bank, through spokesperson Rory Sheehan, said all relationships undergo rigorous due diligence and the bank is prepared to exit those that fail standards, consistent with contractual and regulatory obligations. The bank declined to confirm client relationships or meeting plans with GBIO. GBIO said bank officials agreed to meet after the protest.

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Clergy framed the issue as a moral objection to profiting from human suffering and a challenge to ICE’s immigration enforcement. They argued the facilities lack public oversight and harm communities.

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• “No financial institution should profit from human suffering,” — Pastor Dieufort Fleurissaint, Pastor, Mattapan

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• “part of an administration which is clearly invested in intimidating, not just immigrants, but also American citizens if they’re not on board with their program,” — Rev. Ray Hammond, Bethel AME Church

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• “Every relationship is subject to rigorous due diligence and ongoing monitoring, and we are prepared to exit relationships when those standards are not met, consistent with contractual and regulatory obligations,” — Rory Sheehan, Citizens Bank spokesperson

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• “These facilities are hidden from public view, and represent a troubled reality.” — Pastor Dieufort Fleurissaint

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• “The fight against ICE’s actions is now being taken to the corporate infrastructure that supports its extremely dubious activities.” — Rev. Ray Hammond

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• “These facilities are hidden from public view, and represent a troubled reality. As a Christian, I would say they have no compassion for humanity.” — Pastor Dieufort Fleurissaint

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Citizens Bank did not confirm financing ties with CoreCivic or GEO Group, nor verify a meeting with GBIO, leaving the bank’s relationship status unclear.

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GBIO will withdraw deposits in $1 million increments if the bank does not act, and the upcoming meeting with bank officials will decide whether Citizens Bank changes its financing practices.

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