IRS could share information with ICE to help aid in deportation efforts
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Millions of families are preparing to file taxes. Some of that typically sensitive information could soon be shared with immigration agents.
The Trump administration wants the IRS to help with immigration enforcement, specifically by using tax records to help U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement locate undocumented migrants to deport.
“I’m never going to advise somebody to not comply with the law but I would tell somebody that if you register if you share this information in these times with this administration you have to at least think that might be used against you in the future as sad as that is,” said Darius Amiri, an immigration attorney with Rose Law Group.
A recent study from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2022.
“The ITIN is a device created by the government to allow these people to comply with the law and file taxes, and now we’re going to weaponize that information and use it to send ICE agents after them?” said Amiri.
On Tuesday, Border Policy Advisor Tom Homan said the move would help with deportations and protect American citizens from identity theft.
“To protect American citizens whose Social Security benefits, protect their identity from being stolen. That’s one way we can do it,” he said.
The release of tax information is generally prohibited. It has been done before to help with active law enforcement investigations, but not immigration cases.
“I think what you’ll see is people revert to working under the table because now it’s, well I want to pay taxes, and I want to comply, but if I give my information I’m going to expect an ICE agent knocking down my door,” said Amiri.
Two immigrant rights groups in Chicago sued the Treasury Department and IRS earlier this month. The groups asked a judge to block the agency from sharing taxpayers’ identifying information with ICE or DHS.
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