Sacramento, California – A controversial new agreement between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has triggered a wave of backlash from immigrant advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers, who argue the policy threatens public trust and undermines decades of progress in building relationships between immigrant communities and the federal government.
On April 7, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Homeland Security that allows the IRS to share the personal tax information of undocumented immigrants who are under criminal investigation by ICE. The 15-page agreement—partially redacted—marks the first time the IRS has entered into such a deal under an immigration enforcement mandate.
Under the agreement, ICE can now request tax information on noncitizens under investigation for specific federal crimes, including remaining in the country after receiving a final order of removal. The Trump administration, which reinstated the policy after previously signaling interest, claims the measure targets only individuals accused of violating criminal statutes…