The Internal Revenue Service is close to finalizing an agreement allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access confidential taxpayer data to identify and locate undocumented immigrants, according to four people familiar with the matter. The deal would mark a major shift in the role of the IRS in immigration enforcement and comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to conduct mass deportations.
Under the draft agreement, ICE could submit requests to confirm the names and addresses of individuals with final removal orders. Requests would require authorization from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem or Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. The IRS would cross-check its tax databases using identifying information supplied by DHS, such as names, addresses, and removal dates.
The plan has raised alarm among current and former IRS officials who warn it could undermine decades of trust that encouraged undocumented immigrants to file tax returns. Roughly half of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. file taxes using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs).
The agreement follows recent leadership changes at the IRS, including the retirement of former Acting Commissioner Doug O’Donnell, who had rejected a similar DHS request. His successor, Melanie Krause, and newly appointed chief counsel Andrew De Mello have reportedly been more open to cooperation with DHS.
The IRS has historically assured undocumented filers that their tax data would not be used for immigration enforcement. Critics now warn that reversing this practice could deter tax compliance and harm future legalization efforts.
The Treasury Department and DHS have not responded to requests for comment.
Sources
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