New York, NY—Yesterday, a United States District Judge in Massachusetts ordered the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Social Security Administration to stop sharing taxpayer data with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This is the second federal judge to temporarily block the information-sharing deal between the IRS and ICE.
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. Undocumented New Yorkers contribute $6.7 billion in local, state, and federal taxes each year, while immigrants with status contribute $74.8 billlion.
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:
“We applaud the federal court in Massachusetts for protecting immigrant taxpayers and sending a clear message that government agencies cannot exploit sensitive information to target immigrant communities. This is not only a victory for taxpayers, but also a rebuke of the Administration’s lawless and cruel intentions. The ruling reaffirms the IRS’s fundamental responsibility to protect taxpayer confidentiality. With tax season here, this ruling ensures that immigrant families can meet their civic obligations without fear of retaliation or surveillance. We call on all federal agencies to uphold these protections, and we hope this temporary block is made permanent so that immigrant families can have lasting security.”