Companies collaborating with ICE in the United States under increasing pressure

Companies in North America and Europe are facing growing pressure over their business ties with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, in the wake of recent operations in Minnesota and two fatal shootings involving federal agents. Criticism is no longer directed solely at the authorities, but also at private providers of technological, logistical and real estate services.

In France, Economy Minister Roland Lescure has asked digital consulting and services company Capgemini for an explanation after the revelation of a contract signed in December by its US subsidiary Capgemini Government Solutions with the Department of Homeland Security. The contract, worth approximately $4.8 million, covers "skip tracing" services, i.e. techniques for searching for and locating individuals for arrest and removal operations.

The group's CEO, Aiman Ezzat, explained that the US subsidiary has an independent board of directors and manages classified contracts that are legally inaccessible to the parent company. He said he learned of the contract's existence from public sources and added that an internal review had been launched. The group then stated that the contract awarded was not currently being executed, without specifying whether it had been suspended or cancelled.

The French authorities nevertheless consider this response insufficient and point out that companies remain responsible for the activities of their subsidiaries. The controversy has been amplified by organisations that monitor multinationals and by media coverage of federal operations in Minnesota, which have sparked protests and court rulings limiting certain arrests.

In the United States, other groups are the target of recurring criticism. The data analysis company Palantir has long been controversial for the tools it provides to immigration services and is one of the main financial beneficiaries of the current federal immigration control policy, alongside the consulting firm Deloitte. Its CEO has publicly defended these contracts.

In Canada, several companies are also embroiled in controversy. Developer Jim Pattison Developments sparked reactions after announcing the potential sale of a site in Virginia intended to become a processing centre for immigration services. The company claims to have accepted a purchase offer before knowing the future use of the site and stresses that the transaction has not been finalised. Politicians in British Columbia have called on Canadian companies to assess the implications of their business relationships with the US authorities, while calls for a boycott have emerged.

Ontario-based armoured vehicle manufacturer Roshel is also under pressure after receiving an order for vehicles to support field agents. Vancouver-based technology company Hootsuite provides social media management services to the agency, prompting protests outside its headquarters. The New York Times

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IN SHORT
🇸🇾 Syria • The Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have reached an agreement to integrate Kurdish forces into the national army, with the creation of three brigades within a new division. Kurdish civilian institutions will also be attached to the central state, and government troops are to withdraw from the northern front line.

🇮🇱 Israel – 🇵🇸 Palestine • In the West Bank, Israeli army reserve units composed solely of settlers, known as regional defence units, are acting as militias, according to Israeli soldiers and NGOs. Armed and funded by the state, they are allegedly involved in violence, intimidation and forced displacement of Palestinian communities. The UN refers to confusion between state forces and armed settlers.

🇳🇪 Niger • The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on Niamey airport, which also houses military sites close to the presidency. According to Nigerien military authorities, 20 attackers were killed, four soldiers were wounded and 11 suspects were arrested after about an hour of fighting. Satellite images show burned areas and damaged roofs, with authorities reporting significant damage.

🇨🇳 China • The expulsion of several high-ranking officers from the People's Liberation Army, including Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia, has sent shockwaves through the military. Disciplinary investigations have been on the rise since 2023 and are also affecting the defence industry. The authorities cite serious violations of discipline and political loyalty, while analysts question the real state of the chain of command and operational readiness.

🇺🇦 Ukraine • Kiev exchanges information with SpaceX after reports of Russian drones using Starlink terminals to carry out strikes. The Defence Minister says Ukrainian teams have contacted the company to limit such misuse, as the terminals in question were acquired through parallel channels. Starlink remains crucial for Ukrainian forces' communications, making any large-scale service interruption difficult.

🇮🇷 Iran • Iranian authorities say they are ready to open negotiations with the United States, provided that the discussions are conducted on an equal footing and without pressure, while ruling out any debate on ballistic capabilities. The Foreign Secretary says the country is ready for dialogue as well as conflict, while Washington is strengthening its regional military presence and demanding an end to the nuclear programme and the crackdown on protests.

🇻🇪 Venezuela • The government has adopted an oil reform that opens up the sector to the private sector, with operating contracts without majority state participation and reduced taxation, capped at 15% tax and 30% royalties. In the wake of this, Washington has suspended some of the sanctions against the state-owned company PDVSA and authorised transactions, with the authorities hoping for foreign investment and a rapid increase in production.

🇺🇸 United States – 🇨🇦 Canada • US President Donald Trump has announced the withdrawal of certification for aircraft manufactured by Canadian manufacturer Bombardier and all aircraft manufactured in Canada, in response to Ottawa's refusal to certify American Gulfstream jets. He is also threatening to impose 50% customs duties on Canadian aircraft sold in the United States.

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