IRS sharing info with ICE would put illegal immigrants in unique tricky spot: expert
A potentially groundbreaking agreement between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could have significant implications for illegal immigrants in the United States, according to tax expert Adam Brewer.
Brewer, who works for AB Tax Law, expressed concerns about the potential deal, which would allow ICE to share the names and addresses of illegal immigrants with the IRS. The IRS would then cross-reference this information with tax records to provide ICE with current addresses. This information could be used to aid in deportations.
While President Donald Trump has been vocal about his desire to increase deportations, some IRS employees are worried about the agreement. They argue that the IRS has long promised to safeguard taxpayer records in exchange for illegal immigrants filing tax returns, which is required by law.
The draft agreement would authorize the use of taxpayer data for criminal investigations related to immigration violations, a departure from the IRS’s traditional privacy protections. Brewer described this move as unprecedented and potentially damaging to the IRS’s credibility.
He noted that many illegal immigrants rely on filing tax returns as a way to establish legal status, and the fear of deportation could deter them from doing so if their information is shared with ICE. However, Brewer also acknowledged that sharing information between government agencies could be beneficial in some cases.
While the potential agreement raises concerns about privacy and the role of the IRS in immigration enforcement, Brewer emphasized the importance of government agencies efficiently sharing information for law enforcement purposes.
Ultimately, the implications of the IRS-ICE deal remain to be seen. It is a complex issue that raises questions about privacy, immigration enforcement, and the role of government agencies in addressing illegal immigration.
