A growing number of companies are stepping away from business linked to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as criticism of the agency's enforcement practices spreads beyond the United States.
French consulting and technology group Capgemini said it will sell a U.S. subsidiary that worked with ICE, following scrutiny over a government contract tied to locating undocumented migrants. The decision came after reports revealed the unit had received a multi-million-dollar contract to provide so-called skip tracing services, prompting questions from regulators and politicians in France.
Capgemini said the nature of the work did not align with its broader values and that restrictions around government contracts limited its ability to oversee the subsidiary's activities. The unit accounted for only a small fraction of the company's overall revenue.
Public opposition has also emerged in Canada, where several firms have faced calls to sever ties with ICE. Protests and boycott demands were directed at businesses connected to real estate holdings and social media services used by the agency. In one case, a Canadian real estate company said it would no longer proceed with plans to sell a warehouse intended to support U.S. homeland security operations, offering no further explanation.
Demonstrations have also targeted a social media company accused of supporting ICE communications. Company leadership responded by stating its tools were not used for surveillance and acknowledged the broader concerns sparked by recent enforcement actions, including deaths and fear within affected communities.
The backlash has been fueled by protests in major U.S. cities following intensified immigration enforcement, as well as by reports of fatal encounters involving ICE agents. In response, some American property owners and retailers have publicly distanced themselves from the agency, citing concerns over escalating tensions.
Together, the moves reflect mounting pressure on corporations to reconsider government contracts linked to immigration enforcement, as public scrutiny increasingly shapes corporate decisions across borders.
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