"Not With Our Money, Citizens"
Citizens Bank is financing the companies that run ICE detention centers — facilities where immigrants are held in conditions that violate basic standards of human dignity. As a founding member of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, HBT is joining a collective campaign to demand accountability.
In 2019, sustained pressure from activists and shareholders led eight of the country's largest banks to end their relationships with the private prison industry. Citizens Bank stayed the course — and stepped in to fill the void left by those who left.
Sources: Philadelphia Inquirer (March 2026) · De-ICE Citizens Bank campaign · GBIO campaign update (May 2026)
Citizens doesn't just lend — it leads these deals, organizing other lenders and serving as administrative agent. Meanwhile, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and six other major banks have already walked away from the private prison industry. Citizens has not.
GBIO is running a four-stage escalating campaign. We are currently in Stage 2 — moving from pledges to public pressure, with more institutions signing on every week.
GBIO is also expanding beyond Greater Boston in Stage 2 — reaching out to affiliated congregations, unions, and organizations in other states where Citizens Bank operates.
The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization — of which HBT is a founding member congregation — is building collective leverage. The strategy: gather pledges from member organizations and individuals to move money out of Citizens Bank, then meet with Citizens Bank leadership to demonstrate the total at stake.
This campaign is generating real press attention. Here's recent coverage:
HBT is a founding member congregation of GBIO and is actively participating in this campaign through our Tikkun Olam committee. We are encouraging members to learn about the campaign, take the pledge if moved to do so, and stay engaged as the campaign escalates toward July 4th.
This is exactly the kind of organized, values-driven civic action that defines who we are as a congregation.
Ready to get involved?
Reach out to Reuben Kantor, HBT's lead on this campaign, with questions or to learn how to take the pledge.
Contact ReubenIf you'd like to be contacted about this initiative or GBIO's campaign, leave your information here. This form is separate from the anonymous survey above.
Your response goes only to HBT's Tikkun Olam committee as an aggregate count. HBT will never see individual responses or share your information.
The pledge goes directly to GBIO's secure system — completely outside HBT and not visible to anyone in our congregation. You choose how much information to share, and the dollar amount field is entirely optional.
Take the GBIO Pledge →GBIO's privacy notice: Your personal information is stored in secure systems and will not be publicized. Only de-identified aggregate data may be shared with allied organizations or Citizens Bank representatives.
This page will be updated as the campaign develops — including the outcome of GBIO's meeting with Citizens Bank leadership. Watch this space and listen for updates from the Tikkun Olam committee.
Page last updated: April 2026
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