French technology giant Capgemini has announced it will sell its US subsidiary after its work locating people for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sparked outrage.
Capgemini has come under pressure from French lawmakers over a contract its subsidiary signed with ICE, amid international scrutiny over the methods used by the agency’s agents in Minnesota.
The fatal shooting of US citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis has sparked protests across the US and led to increased scrutiny of the agency.
Capgemini Government Solutions has been under contract since December 18 to provide 'skip tracing services for enforcement and removal operations,' public records show.
Skip tracing services locate individuals whose whereabouts are unknown. Capgemini Government Solutions is set to be paid more than $4.8 million for its work tracing people for ICE, which is due to continue until March 15, according to US government listings. It is one of 13 contracts the subsidiary holds with ICE.
Capgemini stated that it had been unable 'to exercise appropriate control over certain aspects of this subsidiary's operations in order to ensure alignment with the Group's objectives.' The divestiture process of this business will begin immediately.
Criticism of ICE practices has intensified recently since the shooting of Pretti, the second fatal shooting of a US citizen since immigration agents began surging several cities, acting on the previous administration's drive to increase deportations of illegal immigrants. The killing of Pretti involved Border Patrol agents, while Good was shot by an ICE agent.
ICE has detained thousands since the recent administration's pledge to increase deportations, leading to clashes with protestors.
Last week, Capgemini’s CEO Aiman Ezzat expressed concerns about the nature of the work contracted to Capgemini Government Solutions, stating it raised questions compared to the company's typical operations. This revelation has provoked outrage among French politicians, prompting calls for transparency and potential sanctions against companies collaborating with ICE.
Capgemini, founded in 1967, is one of the largest IT services and consulting firms, with a current valuation of €22 billion and over 340,000 employees worldwide.
