French tech giant under scrutiny over work with ICE

French technology giant Capgemini has become the target of a growing online backlash after reports revealed that its US subsidiary is working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The information was revealed by France 2 on Tuesday, citing findings by the watchdog group Observatoire des multinationales. According to the investigation, Virginia-based Capgemini Government Solutions (CGS) has secured contracts with the controversial agency whose officers killed two civilians this month.

These include a $4.8m agreement signed in December for “investigation and personal background check services”.

Another contract, worth up to $365m, is related to “skip-tracing”, a technique used to identify and locate individuals. The contract includes performance-based incentives linked to successful identifications.

Trade unions reacted sharply.

The General Confederation of Labour (CGT), which represents Capgemini employees in France, called for the “immediate and public end” of all collaboration with ICE, while the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) accused the firm of contradicting its own ethical commitments.

“Why impose ethics training on employees if the group itself does not respect these values?” it asked in a statement.

CGT's general secretary, Sophie Binet, expressed “total support” for US activists opposing what she called a “hunt for foreigners”, adding that Capgemini’s collaboration with ICE “must stop immediately”.

In response to the backlash, Capgemini chief executive Aiman Ezzat said he had learned “through public sources” of the December contract between CGS and ICE.

He argued in a LinkedIn post that the subsidiary is subject to US law and that the parent company cannot access "classified information".

Ezzat added that CGS had launched an internal review of the “content and scope” of the contract. Capgemini has also removed a statement from its website that previously said it worked “closely” with ICE to reduce the “delays and costs” of deportations.

'Despicable manhunt business'

The revelations also sparked a wave of reactions on French social media, particularly from left-wing politicians, union leaders and activists.

“Capgemini, a flagship French CAC 40 company, is helping [US President Donald] Trump’s ICE track down and locate migrants... Business is business, even when it comes to mass deportations,” wrote an X user. "Morals at Capgemini? Strictly optional."

Translation: #ICEGESTAPO Skip-tracing: locating, identifying, reporting:
‘Capgemini works closely to help reduce the time and costs in deporting all illegal foreigners from the United States.’ Collaborating with the Gestapo? For sure, it’s French!

“So what’s going on, Capgemini now you’re collaborators, helping ICE identify and locate immigrants?” wrote another user.

Thomas Portes of the left-wing France Unbowed party described the contracts as “money made on the backs of people killed by the police”, while National Assembly vice-president Clemence Guette wrote: “Shame on this consulting firm for becoming complicit in the worst.”

Translation: Capgemini, the French company close to [French President] E. Macron that supplies mass surveillance “crisis” technologies to our ministries, is today helping the fascist ICE police in the United States in their murderous hunt for migrants. The more migrants it locates, the more money it receives. An infamous business of man-hunting. France must choose which side of history it wants to stand on.

“A despicable manhunt business,” wrote MP and National Assembly vice-president Nadege Abomangoli, arguing that France must “choose which side of history it wants to be on”.

Much of the backlash reflects broader opposition to ICE itself.

The agency has long been criticised by politicians and human rights organisations for aggressive enforcement practices, mass deportations and violations of due process.

The killings of two civilians during ICE operations in Minnesota have further intensified protests and scrutiny.