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The Internal Revenue Service of the United States (IRS) will begin sharing tax data with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of a strategy to identify and deport undocumented immigrants, the agency reported on Tuesday, according to Associated Press (AP).
According to that source, the agreement was formalized on Monday through a memorandum of understanding signed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, allowing ICE to send the names and addresses of undocumented immigrants to the IRS for verification against tax records.
The government argues that this collaboration is part of the effort to strengthen border control and comply with the immigration policy of President Donald Trump, which has included mass deportations, raids on workplaces, and even the application of 18th-century laws to expel Venezuelan migrants.
However, civil rights advocacy groups and tax law experts have criticized the measure, warning that it violates privacy laws that protect citizens' tax information.
The Tax Law Center at New York University warned that this type of data exchange "threatens to undermine rights protected by current laws" and could expose IRS officials to criminal or civil penalties.
A Treasury official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, defended the agreement by stating that it is based on "legal authorities granted by Congress" and aims to protect the privacy of compliant taxpayers while facilitating the prosecution of serious crimes.
For his part, the interim director of ICE, Todd Lyons, stated during a conference in Phoenix that this cooperation aims to identify individuals who fraudulently receive public benefits and who “hide in plain sight” using false identities.
Lyons emphasized that the collaboration with the Treasury focuses solely on major criminal cases.
At the beginning of this year, the IRS had been asked to assist in immigration control efforts, according to a letter obtained by AP, in which Noem requested personnel from the IRS Criminal Investigation unit to support the actions of the DHS.
Although the memorandum states that the agencies will act with respect for privacy rights and within the legal framework, tax law experts insist that this new scheme could jeopardize the confidentiality of millions of taxpayers in the United States.
Since last March, a report from CNN warned of a possible agreement between the IRS and the DHS, which raised alarms in immigrant communities across the United States, including the Cuban community.
The television network stated at that time that the IRS could soon confirm the addresses of taxpayers suspected of being in the country illegally, at the request of immigration authorities.
Frequently asked questions about the collaboration between IRS and ICE to identify illegal immigrants
What does the agreement between the IRS and ICE consist of?
The agreement allows the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to share tax information with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as part of a strategy to identify and deport undocumented immigrants. This collaboration aims to strengthen border control and uphold President Donald Trump's immigration policy.
What legal implications does this agreement have for immigrants in the U.S.?
The agreement has been criticized by civil rights groups and tax law experts, as it could violate privacy laws that protect taxpayers' tax information. These concerns focus on the potential exposure of confidential data and the risk of criminal or civil penalties for IRS officials.
How does this agreement affect Cuban immigrants in the U.S.?
The agreement creates uncertainty among Cuban immigrants, especially those who have filed their taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Many fear that this collaboration may discourage undocumented migrants from fulfilling their tax obligations, particularly impacting Cuban communities in cities such as Miami, Tampa, and Houston.
What are the main criticisms of the agreement between the IRS and ICE?
Criticism of the agreement focuses on its potential to violate privacy rights and expose millions of taxpayers to legal risks. Experts and civil rights organizations warn that this data exchange could be a breach of the strict tax privacy laws currently in effect in the United States.
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