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Trump Uses the IRS and Social Security to Target Noncitizens

April 2025

IRS Agrees to Share Taxpayer Information with DHS


The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have agreed for the IRS to turn over information on undocumented immigrants facing deportation or under federal criminal investigation.


This agreement has come after long, tense deliberation between the IRS and DHS over legality and privacy concerns with turning over sensitive taxpayer information, resulting in the resignation of several senior IRS officials.


According to the agreement, ICE will provide the IRS with names and addresses of those they suspect of violating immigration laws for the IRS to cross-reference and confirm. While the extent of information the IRS might provide remains unclear, the agreement assures that any sharing of information will be done in accordance with federal law. However, many resigning IRS officials fear that the DHS will not respect and abuse the law.


Sharing of Information Puts Noncitizens at Risk


The IRS requires all immigrants working in the US to file taxes, even if they are undocumented.


Undocumented immigrants are able to file their taxes with an individual tax identification number (ITIN). Many undocumented immigrants file their taxes with the understanding that taxpayer data is confidential and have contributed billions of dollars in taxes.


This new agreement by the IRS comes as a betrayal and serves to only facilitate Trump’s mass deportation efforts. The cooperation of government agencies with Trump’s immigration crackdown sets a dangerous precedent and allows the administration to continue escalating their tactics to target noncitizens.


Trump Moves to Cancel SSN of Noncitizens


The Trump administration is also working to cancel the Social Security Number (SSN) of more than 6,000 noncitizens by transferring their names to the “Death Master File” normally reserved for tracking the data of deceased persons. Trump officials have stated that this is part of their efforts to get immigrants to “self-deport.”


Despite the misinformation that noncitizens commit fraud by using the SSN of others, many noncitizens, like lawful permanent residents and those with work authorization, are legally able to obtain their own SSN. This allows noncitizens to earn a paycheck, maintain a bank account, and have access to other financial services. Cancelling the lawfully obtained numbers of noncitizens would cut them off from these essential services.


It is unclear how the 6,000 were chosen or if there’s a legal basis for the government to do this. This would be devastating to the livelihood of noncitizens and is yet another example of the Trump administration’s assault on their basic rights.


While the Lemkin Institute continues to report on important immigration policy changes, we cannot offer individualized legal advice.


If you think you may be affected by policy changes, please contact an immigration lawyer.




The Lemkin Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States. EIN:  87-1787869

info@lemkininstitute.com

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