IRS close to finalizing data-sharing agreement with ICE, sources say

ABC News - Mar 22nd, 2025

The IRS is close to finalizing a data-sharing agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that would allow immigration officials to access taxpayer information for deportation purposes, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. This development is part of the Trump administration's broader immigration enforcement agenda. The agreement would enable ICE to provide the IRS with names and addresses of suspected immigrants without legal status, which the IRS would then check against its confidential databases. This potential use of sensitive tax data has raised concerns among IRS officials, given the confidentiality protections under Section 6103 of the federal tax code. The IRS and the Department of Homeland Security have yet to comment on the ongoing negotiations.

The implications of this potential agreement are significant, as it would represent a shift in how taxpayer data is utilized by federal agencies. Historically, taxpayer information has been protected from non-tax-related use, except under strict legal conditions. The decision to share such information with ICE could impact millions of immigrants who file tax returns using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs), contributing billions in taxes despite their undocumented status. The move has sparked a debate on privacy rights and the ethical considerations of using tax data in immigration enforcement, highlighting tensions within the IRS and broader concerns over the administration's immigration policies.

Trump Administration Deportation Ice Irs Immigration Enforcement Privacy Rights Taxpayer Information Section 6103 Iti Ns

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RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article presents a timely and relevant topic concerning the potential data-sharing agreement between the IRS and ICE. It highlights important issues related to privacy, legal implications, and immigration enforcement. However, the reliance on unnamed sources and the lack of direct comments from involved agencies somewhat weaken its accuracy and source quality. The article is generally clear and well-structured, facilitating reader comprehension, but it could benefit from a more balanced presentation of perspectives. Overall, it effectively raises awareness of a significant issue but would be strengthened by additional verification and diverse viewpoints.

Accuracy

The story makes several factual claims that align with known facts, such as the IRS's confidentiality obligations under Section 6103 of the federal tax code. However, the claim that the IRS is nearing a data-sharing agreement with ICE requires further verification, as it is based on unnamed sources. The article accurately cites the Washington Post as the first to report the development, adding credibility. The figures about undocumented immigrants' contributions to Social Security taxes are attributed to the Bipartisan Policy Center, but the article does not provide a direct source or method for this calculation, which could affect accuracy.

Balance

The article presents the potential agreement between the IRS and ICE from the perspective of concern over privacy and legal implications, primarily reflecting views that are critical of the proposal. It mentions the Trump administration's deportation agenda, which could suggest bias if not balanced with perspectives supporting the initiative. The lack of comments from the IRS and DHS could indicate an attempt to present a balanced view, but the absence of supportive arguments or perspectives from proponents of the agreement results in an imbalanced presentation.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, presenting the main points in a logical order. It uses straightforward language and provides sufficient context for readers to understand the significance of the potential agreement between the IRS and ICE. However, the article could benefit from more detailed explanations of the legal framework and potential implications of the agreement to enhance reader comprehension.

Source quality

The story relies on unnamed sources familiar with the matter, which reduces the transparency and reliability of the information. While it references the Washington Post as the first to report the development, it does not provide direct quotes or statements from officials or documents, which would strengthen the article's credibility. The use of a reputable source like the Bipartisan Policy Center for economic figures adds some credibility, but the lack of direct attribution to named sources weakens the overall source quality.

Transparency

The article discloses that the information comes from unnamed sources and acknowledges that the IRS and DHS did not respond to requests for comment, which provides some transparency. However, it lacks detailed explanation of how the data-sharing agreement would work or the specific legal processes involved. The absence of a clear methodology for calculating the economic contributions of undocumented immigrants also detracts from transparency.