Attention Cubans in the U.S.: IRS is about to finalize an agreement to collaborate with ICE

A possible agreement between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has raised alarms in immigrant communities across the United States, including the Cuban community.

CNN reported that the IRS could soon confirm the addresses of taxpayers suspected of being in the country illegally, at the request of immigration authorities.

The measure, still under discussion, would allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to send the names and addresses of individuals with deportation orders to the IRS. In return, the IRS would confirm whether that data matches the information recorded in its systems.

The current draft does not include provisions for the IRS to directly provide confidential information, but legal experts warn that this could represent a violation of strict tax privacy laws.

This shift in IRS policy is concerning for newly arrived Cuban migrants, many of whom have filed their taxes using a Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), relying on the confidentiality of that information.

The IRS has promoted for years that even undocumented migrants fulfill their tax obligations, but this cooperation with immigration agencies could deter many from doing so.

In cities like Miami, Tampa, or Houston —which have significant Cuban communities— this initiative could create uncertainty among those who are undergoing immigration processes, waiting for asylum, or have recently entered under programs like humanitarian parole.

Immigrant rights organizations in Chicago have responded with a lawsuit against the Department of the Treasury and the IRS itself, requesting a judge to block any attempt to share confidential information with ICE or DHS.

The complaints allege that these agencies are not listed as valid exceptions in the federal tax code to receive such sensitive data.

The current version of the agreement would require that cases be approved by the DHS Secretary, Kristi Noem, or the interim ICE Director, Todd Lyons, both aligned with the Trump Administration's strategy on immigration issues.

In addition, each request would need to include the name, address, and date of the taxpayer's deportation order.

If this agreement materializes, it would represent a significant change in the relationship between the IRS and migrants, and it could have a direct impact on thousands of Cuban families who have sought to regularize their situation by fulfilling their tax obligations since their first year in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions about the agreement between the IRS and ICE and its impact on Cubans in the U.S.