IRS to Share Tax Data with ICE for Deportation Targets

The IRS has formalized a controversial agreement allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access confidential tax records of undocumented immigrants, marking a significant shift in privacy protections. This policy change, which advocates fear could lead to widespread misuse, enables ICE to utilize tax information as evidence in deportation cases. Undocumented immigrants, who contributed approximately $96.7 billion in taxes in 2022, have long been encouraged to file taxes under Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs), relying on the IRS's promise of confidentiality. Critics, including immigration lawyers and tax advocates, warn that this agreement undermines trust in the tax system and may deter undocumented individuals from filing taxes, potentially harming federal revenue. The agreement stipulates that ICE must provide specific reasons for accessing taxpayer data, but concerns remain about its implications for vulnerable communities. Many are now calling for legal challenges to prevent the sharing of tax information for deportation purposes.