Capgemini to Sell US Subsidiary Amid Controversy Over ICE Collaboration
Capgemini, a prominent French technology company, has made the decision to sell its US subsidiary following backlash over its involvement in locating individuals for the immigration enforcement agency ICE. The subsidiary, Capgemini Government Solutions, had signed a contract with ICE to provide skip tracing services for enforcement and removal operations, which has drawn criticism from various parties.
The scrutiny intensified after the fatal shootings of US citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis, leading to widespread protests and increased attention on the agency's practices. Capgemini Government Solutions was set to receive over $4.8 million for its work with ICE, but the company stated that it had not been able to control certain aspects of the subsidiary's operations to align with the group's objectives.
In response to the controversy, Capgemini announced that it would initiate the divestiture process of its US subsidiary immediately. The company's CEO, Aiman Ezzat, acknowledged the concerns raised by the nature and scope of the contract with ICE, prompting calls for transparency from French politicians. French Finance Minister Roland Lescure and left-wing opposition MP Hadrien Clouet both expressed their disapproval of French firms collaborating with ICE.
Capgemini, founded in 1967, is a leading IT services and consulting firm with a global workforce of over 340,000 employees and a valuation of €22 billion. The decision to sell its US subsidiary reflects the company's commitment to addressing the controversy surrounding its involvement with ICE and ensuring alignment with its business objectives.