A federal appeals panel in Washington, D.C., United States, has ruled that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may continue sharing certain taxpayer information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), rejecting a request by immigrant rights groups to temporarily block the practice.
The case centers on an agreement signed last year by senior U.S. officials that allows ICE to submit the names and addresses of immigrants living in the country without legal status, which the IRS can then cross-check against its tax records. Opponents argued that this arrangement violates taxpayer privacy protections and could lead to wrongful deportations.
In its decision, the three-judge panel concluded that the information being shared does not fall under the specific protections of IRS privacy law, making it unlikely that challengers will prevail at this stage. The ruling allows the data-sharing to proceed while the broader lawsuit continues.
Why does this court decision matter?
Because it upholds a controversial policy that expands cooperation between tax and immigration authorities, raising concerns about privacy and civil liberties.