IRS-ICE near agreement to share tax data for deportations: Report
Share and Follow


() The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is close to finalizing an agreement that would allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access confidential taxpayer information to locate undocumented immigrants targeted for deportation, The Washington Post reported.

The proposed data-sharing arrangement would permit ICE to submit names and addresses of suspected undocumented immigrants to the IRS for verification against tax records.

This would mark a significant shift in longstanding IRS policy, which has traditionally kept taxpayer information strictly confidential.

According to portions of a draft agreement obtained by the Post, ICE access would be limited to confirming addresses of immigrants with final removal orders. Requests could only be submitted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem or acting ICE director Todd Lyons, per the Post.

The agreement would authorize data verification for individuals “subject to criminal investigation” for violating immigration law, the draft states.

Career officials at the IRS have expressed alarm about the proposed arrangement, concerned that it could misuse a narrow exception to taxpayer privacy laws intended for criminal investigations rather than immigration enforcement, the Post reported.

For decades, the IRS has assured undocumented immigrants that their tax information would remain confidential, encouraging them to file tax returns without fear of deportation. Approximately half of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States file income tax returns, per the Post.

The potential agreement follows leadership changes at the IRS.

Last month, acting IRS Commissioner Doug O’Donnell rejected a DHS request for data on 700,000 suspected undocumented immigrants, deeming it unlawful. O’Donnell retired the following day after 38 years with the agency.

His successor, Melanie Krause, has reportedly shown greater willingness to collaborate with DHS officials, per the Post. The Trump administration also replaced the IRS’s top attorney, who had opposed sharing taxpayer data across agencies.

The move comes as President Donald Trump pushes his administration to utilize all available resources for what he has described as the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history.

Representatives for the DHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The data-sharing agreement has not yet been finalized.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Austin Fire Chief defends response after accusations of delaying help for Kerr County flooding

Austin Fire Chief responds to accusations of delaying aid during Kerr County flooding

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Chief insists his department is doing…
US to drop millions of flies over Texas to kill 'man-eater' maggots

United States to release millions of flies in Texas to eliminate dangerous maggots.

() The U.S. government is preparing to breed billions of flies and…
Trump says 'very close' to securing Israel, Hamas ceasefire, returning hostages

Trump says ‘very close’ to securing Israel, Hamas ceasefire, returning hostages

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! President Donald Trump and…
Longtime Giants staffer and five-time Super Bowl champ dead at 84

84-year-old Giants staff member with five Super Bowl wins passes away

Longtime Giants executive Tim Rooney died Tuesday at the age of 84,…
Trump hosts West African leaders from Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissa amid sweeping US aid cuts

Trump Meets with Leaders from West Africa Countries Despite Significant Reduction in US Aid

U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting five West African leaders on Wednesday…
Shark bites beach fisherman who dragged thrashing predator back to water after catch

Shark bites beach fisherman who dragged thrashing predator back to water after catch

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A fisherman in a…
MLB All-Star Game will use robo ump challenge system

Robo ump challenge system to be implemented in MLB All-Star Game

A national audience is about to learn all about the automatic balls…
Texas flood: Cyber experts warn of disaster-related schemes after deadly flooding in Kerr County

Beware of Scams: Cyber Experts Warn of Disaster-Related Schemes Following Kerr County Flooding in Texas

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — In the wake of the catastrophic flooding in…