Federal Judge Rules IRS Can Share Tax Data with Immigration Authorities
A federal judge upheld the IRS's ability to share tax data with ICE for deportation purposes, rejecting claims of privacy violations by nonprofit groups.
Overview
U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich denied a preliminary injunction against the IRS sharing tax information with ICE, facilitating deportation efforts. The ruling emphasized compliance with existing laws, despite privacy concerns raised by advocacy groups. The judge noted that the data-sharing agreement specifically allows IRS information to aid criminal investigations while barring civil matters. The case underscores broader immigration enforcement policies tied to the Trump administration's agenda, igniting ongoing debates about privacy rights and immigrant protections in the U.S.
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FAQ
The IRS is authorized to share tax data with ICE under Internal Revenue Code Section 6103(i)(2)(A), which permits disclosure of taxpayer information for criminal investigations or proceedings. This is outlined in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the IRS and ICE, restricting data sharing to cases involving criminal investigations rather than general disclosures.
Privacy concerns include the potential erosion of trust in public institutions and the risk of weaponizing government data for law enforcement and surveillance, especially given that taxpayer information is typically confidential. Nonprofit groups have argued that the data-sharing agreement violates privacy rights and could lead to human rights abuses.
As of April 7, 2025, DHS and ICE have not made any requests for taxpayer information nor has the IRS provided any return information under the MOU.
The agreement limits the use of IRS-shared information by ICE strictly to criminal investigations and proceedings, barring use for civil immigration matters. The data sharing must be targeted and specific, involving only taxpayers under criminal investigation or subject to criminal proceedings.
There was internal opposition within the IRS, including the acting head Melanie Krause, who reportedly pushed back against the deal and ultimately resigned over the controversy surrounding the sharing of data with immigration authorities.
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