French Politicians Demand Transparency Over Tech Firm's ICE Collaboration
French parliamentarians have called for urgent explanations after revelations emerged that a subsidiary of one of France's largest technology companies has entered into a multimillion-dollar contract with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
Contract Details Spark Outrage
The controversy centres on Capgemini Group Solutions, the American subsidiary of Paris-listed digital services multinational Capgemini, which signed a $4.8 million agreement with ICE's Detention Compliance and Removals office in December. The contract involves providing "skip tracing" services - investigative techniques for locating targeted individuals - with substantial performance bonuses attached to successful operations.
According to documents revealed by corporate watchdog Observatoire des Multinationales, the agreement includes potential bonuses reaching $365 million for successfully identifying and locating foreign nationals. The revelation has triggered significant political backlash in France, where ministers and MPs are demanding greater transparency around contracts that potentially conflict with human rights principles.
Political Reactions and Corporate Response
Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin emphasised that "the contracts of French groups deserve close scrutiny," highlighting that "respect for human rights is an issue." Meanwhile, left-wing MP Hadrien Clouet declared: "It's time for France to accept its responsibilities. French private companies are collaborating with ICE. We do not accept this."
Economy Minister Roland Lescure told the National Assembly he had urged Capgemini to provide complete transparency about its activities, stating the company's initial explanations were "not good enough" and calling for serious questioning of the contract's nature.
Capgemini acknowledged the December contract but claimed it hasn't yet taken effect. Executive Mathieu Dougados informed employees via email that the agreement raised "legitimate questions" but stated the Paris headquarters only recently became aware of its specific nature and couldn't obtain operational details due to US regulations.
Broader Context and Internal Opposition
The controversy emerges against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of ICE's operations, particularly following recent incidents in Minnesota where ICE agents shot dead two US citizens. Research indicates Capgemini currently maintains thirteen active contracts with ICE, including one managing a hotline for victims of crimes committed by foreigners.
Internal opposition has emerged within Capgemini, with the CGT union demanding immediate termination of all ICE collaborations. A union spokesperson argued these partnerships contradict company values and make the group "an active accomplice in serious human rights violations."
Previously published material on Capgemini's website, since removed, revealed the company worked "closely" with ICE's deportation operations to reduce expulsion delays and costs. Observatoire des Multinationales published screenshots showing Capgemini boasting about helping ICE "minimize the time required and the cost incurred to remove all removable illegal aliens from the US."
As political pressure mounts, French authorities continue demanding comprehensive explanations about how a major national technology company became involved in controversial US immigration enforcement operations, with human rights considerations at the forefront of parliamentary concerns.
