How a French IT giant became a lightning rod for US immigration policy

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From its humble origins as a data processing firm in 1974, Capgemini has grown into a global powerhouse with over 423,000 employees. Yet, recent controversies surrounding its technology contracts with US immigration authorities have forced the company to reconsider its North American footprint and its role in sensitive government operations.

Founded by Serge Kampf in 1974 as Sogeti, the company quickly evolved through aggressive acquisitions, including the 2000 purchase of Ernst & Young Consulting for $11 billion. This era, marked by the dot-com bubble, proved volatile, leading to significant restructuring and a pivot toward offshoring in India. By the 2010s, Capgemini had cemented its status as a major IT partner for the French state, securing hundreds of contracts across diverse sectors from defense to education.

The company's expansion into the United States brought it into the orbit of federal enforcement agencies. Since 2007, Capgemini has maintained a partnership with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), providing IT support and detention planning. A 2025 contract, worth approximately $365 million, tasked the firm with locating foreign nationals, with financial incentives tied to the success of these operations. This arrangement triggered intense public backlash, drawing criticism from French officials like Roland Lescure and Hadrien Clouet.

In response to the outcry, Capgemini announced in February 2026 that it would divest its US subsidiary, Capgemini Government Solutions. The company cited an inability to maintain sufficient operational oversight due to the strict security requirements mandated for federal contractors handling classified data. This retreat highlights the complex tension between global IT firms and the ethical implications of the government services they provide, especially when those services intersect with contentious immigration enforcement policies.

Beyond its government work, Capgemini continues to invest heavily in emerging technologies, including quantum computing and generative AI. With a network of innovation labs and its own research institute, the firm remains a dominant force in digital transformation. However, its recent history serves as a case study in the reputational risks that arise when corporate technical expertise is applied to high-stakes, politically charged public sector mandates.

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