ICE could use IRS data to track undocumented immigrants
Federal immigration authorities may soon gain access to Internal Revenue Service data under a pending agreement that would allow them to verify the names and addresses of individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally, according to multiple reports.
Newsweek has contacted the IRS for further comment.
Why It Matters
Undocumented immigrants can file taxes and register with the IRS, which is legally required to keep their information confidential, except in limited, specific cases.
Border security and immigration are central to President Donald Trump's policy agenda, as he has vowed to deport millions of migrants without legal status, particularly those with criminal records, and to carry out the largest deportation program in U.S. history. Following Trump's return to the White House, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has ramped up arrests across the U.S. However, concerns have been raised that nonviolent migrants are being swept up in enforcement operations.
What To Know
Under the agreement, ICE would submit the names and addresses of individuals it suspects are living in the country illegally to the IRS, which would then cross-reference and verify the information, The Washington Post and CNN reported.
"We cannot confirm this at the time," a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Newsweek.
Typically, personal tax information—including an individual's name and address—is treated as confidential and strictly protected by the IRS. Unauthorized disclosure of tax data is subject to civil and criminal penalties.
The IRS has encouraged undocumented migrants to file taxes, which requires them to share their addresses, employers and earnings with the agency.
In 2022, immigrants contributed about $96.7 billion in taxes at the federal, state and local levels, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy think tank.
Earlier this year, CNN reported that the Department of Homeland Security had circulated a draft memo to the IRS requesting extensive information on suspected undocumented immigrants. According to a source with direct knowledge of the document, the request included the home addresses of several hundred thousand individuals who paid federal taxes using individual taxpayer identification numbers.
Requests must be submitted by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem or acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and must include the taxpayer's name, address and the date of their removal order, allowing the IRS to verify the information.
"There are ongoing discussions … about information sharing" between the IRS and Homeland Security, Justice Department lawyer Andrew Weisberg said during a Washington, D.C., hearing last week.
Democratic lawmakers have criticized the Trump administration for reportedly nearing a deal to share taxpayer data with ICE to target immigrants.
What People Are Saying
Democratic U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Catherine Cortez Masto and Ron Wyden said in a joint statement on Monday: "This weekend, it became clear that the Trump Administration is finalizing plans to target and penalize people who are following federal law and contributing to our economy. This agreement between the IRS and DHS—if finalized—will have long-lasting and devastating implications on our economy, taxpayer privacy, immigrant communities, and the rule of law.
"It's past time for the Trump Administration to make their plans public. The IRS and DHS must disclose the extent of this agreement and brief Congress immediately."
Democratic U.S. Representative Jimmy Gomez said in a statement: "Weaponizing the IRS for immigration enforcement is bad policy and terrible economics. Using taxpayer data to target immigrants may violate federal privacy law. It also erodes trust in our tax system, drives billions of dollars in tax revenue underground, and does nothing to secure our border. The IRS must reject these attempts to abuse confidential and legally protected tax records—our economy and public services depend on it."
What Happens Next
If the agreement is finalized, it could mark a significant shift in how federal agencies collaborate to enforce immigration laws. The arrangement would potentially give ICE a broader dataset to identify and track undocumented immigrants who have complied with tax regulations.