Citizens Bank's financial ties to ICE contractors have sparked a wave of protests in Rhode Island, highlighting a growing controversy over the bank's role in financing the private prison and detention industry. The De-ICE Citizens Bank Coalition, an alliance of over 100 groups nationwide, is demanding that Citizens Financial Group disengage with CoreCivic and The Geo Group, two companies specializing in prisons and detention. The coalition argues that Citizens has helped these companies access $2.5 billion in financing, including $100 million in January 2026, and that their facilities are responsible for holding 35,000 of the 70,000-plus immigration detainees. This issue has gained traction since President Donald Trump's administration prioritized detaining and deporting undocumented people living in the United States. The protesters, including Chris Campanile from Cranston Forward, emphasize the inhumane conditions in these prisons and the lack of due process protections for the majority of detainees with clean criminal records. The movement is gaining momentum, with Citizens account holders being urged to take their money elsewhere and notify the bank about the impetus for the transfer. Despite the protests, Citizens Bank's spokesperson, Rory Sheehan, defended the company, stating that it respects the right to peaceful protest and is committed to its communities. However, the bank's role in financing ICE contractors remains a contentious issue, raising questions about the responsibilities of financial institutions in shaping public policy and their impact on social justice and human rights.
