IRS to share tax data with ICE for deportations

The IRS is close to finalizing an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This would allow ICE to use tax data to assist in deportation efforts. Sources familiar with the situation told ABC News about the ongoing negotiations. Under the agreement, ICE could send names and addresses of suspected undocumented immigrants to the IRS. The IRS would then check these names against its confidential databases. This move is part of a push by the Trump administration to enhance enforcement of immigration laws. The possible use of taxpayer information has raised concerns among some IRS officials. They worry about the implications of using sensitive data for immigration purposes. The IRS typically keeps individual taxpayer information confidential, except in cases related to law enforcement. Immigrants without legal status can still file taxes using individual tax numbers (ITINs). According to a report, these individuals contributed about $25.7 billion in Social Security taxes, often using borrowed Social Security numbers. As of now, the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security have not commented on the matter. The agreement is still being negotiated and has not yet been finalized.