New York, NY—Today, it was reported that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reached an agreement to collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to share sensitive information on undocumented taxpayers with removal orders.
The IRS is mandated to guard tax information within its agencies, and over the years, it has consistently assured undocumented taxpayers that their information is confidential and that it is safe for them to file tax returns.
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:
“The IRS’s decision to share confidential information with the Department of Homeland Security threatens the safety of thousands of workers while forcing them further into the shadows, and discourages tax compliance. Undocumented New Yorkers contribute $6.7 billion in local, state, and federal taxes annually, while immigrants with status contribute $74.8 billion. These dollars help fund our schools, maintain our infrastructure, and provide vital public resources that all New Yorkers depend on. The IRS sharing this information with DHS will have a devastating effect on our economy and lead to increased surveillance of immigrant communities. Instead of punishing people who contribute and comply with our tax laws, our government should be working to protect their rights and build trust. The federal government should be expanding pathways to legal status, not punishing people who are doing everything they can to contribute to our economy. We call on the federal government to stop targeting immigrant communities and Congress to exercise its oversight authority, demand clarification on the status of this implementation agreement, and uphold taxpayer privacy protections for every person in the US.”