NYSTRS Divest From Private Prison Companies

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NYSTRS Divest From Private Prison Companies

NYSTRS Retirement Board, David Keefe President; NYSTRS Investment Committee, Nicholas Smirensky, Chair

NYSTRS invests money on behalf of New York State educators in order to secure the financial health of the pension fund. We want NYSTRS to divest from ICE-related companies.

Two private prison companies stand out: CoreCivic, the nation's largest private prison company and GEO Group. As of June 30, 2025, NYSTRS has over $5m worth of stock invested in these two companies.

The participation of CoreCivic and GEO Group in the inhumane shackling, ankle monitoring, and detention of students, family members, and community members is immoral. To profit from such inhumanity is contrary to the values of New York State educators.

Corporations that are in the business of cruelty do not belong in our pension fund. NYSTRS must stop investing in companies that are harming our students, their families, and our communities. NYSTRS must divest from CoreCivic and GEO Group immediately.

Resolution to Divest From Private Prison Companies Complicit in Humanitarian Violations Against Our Students, Families, and Communities

October 2025

WHEREAS New York State public schools have the responsibility to educate all children (per the New York State Constitution);

WHEREAS The New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) profits from stock it holds in private prison companies;

WHEREAS many of our children and their families are being targeted by federal agencies including ICE/DHS/CBP/HSI and are living in fear of separation, deportation, and detention;

WHEREAS private prisons are profiting from targeting family members of school children;

WHEREAS the school-to-prison pipeline is harming our students, families, and communities; be it

Resolved NYSTRS shall divest from companies that are complicit and responsible in the detention and inhumane treatment of our students, families, and community members, including CoreCivic (CXW) and GEO Group (GEO).

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Divest Action

To: NYSTRS Retirement Board, David Keefe President; NYSTRS Investment Committee, Nicholas Smirensky, Chair
From: [Your Name]

I support the resolution to divest from CoreCivic and GEO Group and any other action the Investment Committee and Retirement Board decides to take to divest from companies working with ICE.

It is a moral imperative to divest from companies that are harming our students, our families, and our communities. In good conscience, I cannot condone profiting from the harm and suffering that CoreCivic and GEO Group inflict on our students, their families, and our communities. I call upon NYSTRS to pass the resolution to divest.