Why Tech Giant Capgemini is Selling its US Subsidiary

Capgemini, one of France’s largest listed technology firms, has confirmed it will sell its US subsidiary, Capgemini Government Solutions, after it emerges that the unit holds contracts with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The decision follows mounting pressure from lawmakers, campaign groups and employees after the deaths of two US citizens during immigration operations in Minneapolis.

Capgemini Government Solutions signed a contract worth US$4.8m with ICE in December to provide "skip tracing services for enforcement and removal operations", according to public listings. The contract is scheduled to run until 15 March and is one of 13 agreements the subsidiary holds with ICE.

Skip tracing refers to techniques used to locate individuals whose whereabouts are unknown, often involving data analysis and surveillance.

Although the company operates in 50 countries and employs at least 340,000 people globally, Capgemini states it cannot maintain “appropriate control over certain aspects of this subsidiary’s operations in order to ensure alignment with the Group’s objectives”.

A company statement adds: “The divestiture process of this business will be initiated immediately.”

Criticism of Capgemini

The backlash comes after the fatal shootings of two US citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, during immigration enforcement actions. Pretti, 37, was killed by Border Patrol, which operates alongside ICE, while Good was shot by an ICE agent.

The incidents sparked widespread protests across the US intensified scrutiny of the agencies’ enforcement tactics, particularly under the Trump administration’s push to increase deportations of undocumented migrants.

In the weeks following the shootings, public and political pressure on Capgemini has mounted. In France, where the company is headquartered, Finance Minister Roland Lescure urged Capgemini “to be transparent” about its work with ICE.

Left-wing MP Hadrien Clouet went further, calling for sanctions against French companies involved in contracts with the agency. “French private companies are collaborating with ICE," he said. "We do not accept this."

According to various reports, campaign group Multinationals Observatory claims Capgemini Government Solutions had already been supporting ICE prior to the December contract, contradicting company statements. The group says the US unit plays a central role in ICE operations, alleging its pay “will depend on the number of people it has helped to detain and deport, much like a bounty hunter”.

Company leadership claims limited oversight

Last week, Capgemini CEO Aiman Ezzat wrote on LinkedIn that the organisation was "recently made aware, through public sources, of the nature of a contract awarded to Capgemini Government Solutions by DHS’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement in December 2025". 

He noted that the arrangement “has raised questions compared to what we typically do as a business and technology firm".

Aiman went on to explain that the US subsidiary operates with a distinct decision-making process that falls in line with legal requirements for contractors working with classified government agencies.

He added: "Networks are firewalled, and the Capgemini Group cannot access any classified information or classified contracts."

Capgemini estimates that Capgemini Government Solutions accounted for just 0.4% if its predicted global revenue for 2025 and less than 2% of global revenue. 

According to the Financial Times, Capgemini has signed skip-tracing contracts worth US$12.2m since Trump returned to the White House, with an additional US$2.5m allocated for data support.

Political pressure and public exposure prompt sale

After facing questions in French parliament, Capgemini held an extraordinary board meeting before announcing the divestment of its US subsidiary.

A subsequent internal memo seen by several media outlets confirmed the December contract was “the subject of an appeal”, while the company insisted the work is not currently being executed.

However, some campaigners argue the company has already played an active role in immigration enforcement.

Elsewhere, Capgemini recently announced it would cut up to 2,400 jobs in France, citing redeployments and voluntary departures, prompting further unease among staff and unions during a period of heightened scrutiny.

As questions continue over the firm’s global governance and ethical standards, Capgemini is pushing ahead with the sale of its US unit, aiming to draw a line under a contract that has brought global attention to its name.