The IRS may soon use its taxpayer database to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) locate illegal aliens for deportation.
The tax agency is close to an agreement with ICE for agents to crosscheck key information on aliens with the taxpayer database, such as a home address. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, would not have direct access to IRS systems, but would be able to verify information with IRS agents, according to The New York Times.
The Trump administration has tried before to tap into the IRS’ extensive servers to aid in alien deportations. The IRS has resisted such plans over risks to sensitive taxpayer information and concern of violating federal law. The new agreement would be a breakthrough for the administration toward its goal of surging deportations.
While the IRS typically keeps taxpayer information away from other agencies, the IRS does share information with law enforcement on a limited basis. Such information sharing typically comes after a court order, according to The Washington Post.
Many illegal aliens working in the United States file taxes to the IRS, a practice the agency has encouraged. The IRS has a special nine-digit code for workers without a social security number called an individual taxpayer identification number. Illegal immigrant filings contain a slew of personal information, such as home addresses, employer names, and income.
The details of the agreement are currently being finalized, according to NYT.
The Trump administration replaced the top lawyer at the IRS earlier this month after running into headwinds getting the Department of Government Efficiency access to the tax agency.
In addition to seeking aid from the IRS, the DHS has redirected a number of agents in the department toward investigating potential deportees, according to Reuters. The reorganization involves taking agents off their typical beats to work on identifying and finding illegal aliens for deportation.
The Trump administration is “mobilizing federal and state law enforcement to find, arrest, and deport illegal aliens,” Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told Reuters in a statement.
The DHS reshuffle echoes a similar overhaul under former President Joe Biden when FBI agents were redirected toward investigating and building cases against alleged January 6, 2021, Capitol rioters.
