Shumita Basu

The Department of Homeland Security and the IRS have reached an agreement to provide sensitive taxpayer information to federal immigration officials, according to recent court filings. That will allow the IRS to learn more about immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status.

The Department of Homeland Security and the IRS have reached an agreement to provide sensitive taxpayer information to federal immigration officials, according to recent court filings. That will allow the IRS to learn more about immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status.

Washington Post reporter Shannon Najmabadi spoke to us about the change in policy.

Washington Post reporter Shannon Najmabadi spoke to us about the change in policy.

Washington Post reporter Shannon Najmabadi spoke to us about the change in policy.

There are about 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally, and many pay their taxes, just like U.S. citizens do. In fact, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that in 2022, immigrants without legal status paid close to $100 billion in federal, state, and local taxes. DHS officials said they could use data from the IRS to locate up to 7 million people.

There are about 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally, and many pay their taxes, just like U.S. citizens do. In fact, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that in 2022, immigrants without legal status paid close to $100 billion in federal, state, and local taxes. DHS officials said they could use data from the IRS to locate up to 7 million people.

There are about 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally, and many pay their taxes, just like U.S. citizens do. In fact, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that in 2022, immigrants without legal status paid close to $100 billion in federal, state, and local taxes. DHS officials said they could use data from the IRS to locate up to 7 million people.

And there could be economic consequences, too.

And there could be economic consequences, too.

And there could be economic consequences, too.

The sharing of tax data for anyone, U.S. citizen or not, U.S. president or not, has long been a very sensitive issue. So much so that improperly sharing tax information is punishable by civil and criminal penalties, which is why this policy move is considered such a big deal and such a shift from our norms.

The sharing of tax data for anyone, U.S. citizen or not, U.S. president or not, has long been a very sensitive issue. So much so that improperly sharing tax information is punishable by civil and criminal penalties, which is why this policy move is considered such a big deal and such a shift from our norms.

The sharing of tax data for anyone, U.S. citizen or not, U.S. president or not, has long been a very sensitive issue. So much so that improperly sharing tax information is punishable by civil and criminal penalties, which is why this policy move is considered such a big deal and such a shift from our norms.

The Post reports that even though IRS attorneys advised that the deal likely violates privacy laws, the agreement was signed by Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. But one key person was largely left out of the loop.

The Post reports that even though IRS attorneys advised that the deal likely violates privacy laws, the agreement was signed by Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. But one key person was largely left out of the loop.

The Post reports that even though IRS attorneys advised that the deal likely violates privacy laws, the agreement was signed by Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. But one key person was largely left out of the loop.

After news of the agreement became public, Krause informed staff she is stepping down. Tomorrow, an immigration judge in Louisiana will decide the fate of Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil, whether he can be deported or whether his case should be terminated and he should be released. Khalil's story so far offers an alarming glimpse into what could happen to others.

After news of the agreement became public, Krause informed staff she is stepping down. Tomorrow, an immigration judge in Louisiana will decide the fate of Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil, whether he can be deported or whether his case should be terminated and he should be released. Khalil's story so far offers an alarming glimpse into what could happen to others.

After news of the agreement became public, Krause informed staff she is stepping down. Tomorrow, an immigration judge in Louisiana will decide the fate of Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil, whether he can be deported or whether his case should be terminated and he should be released. Khalil's story so far offers an alarming glimpse into what could happen to others.