The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) improperly shared confidential tax information on thousands of taxpayers with immigration agents in violation of legal data privacy protections, The Washington Post reported.
At least three sources familiar with the situation told the newspaper that the IRS mistakenly disclosed private information on thousands of taxpayers when it shared data required by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to locate undocumented immigrants.
IRS mistakenly turned over immigrant data
ICE Blocked from Using IRS Data to Find Illegals pic.twitter.com/N4QTgsF0aX
– Savaged (@MichaelGar63457) February 6, 2026
In April of last year, the IRS had agreed to turn over confidential data on individuals facing deportation orders who are under federal criminal investigation, including the crime of failure to depart the country.
The strategy to advance the mass deportations promised by President Donald Trump was sued in several courts, which forced the IRS to stop its collaboration.
DHS had requested the addresses of 1.2 million people. The tax agency shared data on about 47,000 people, according to court records.
The IRS confirmed the Capital newspaper’s report Wednesday in a court filing related to a legal complaint filed against the agreement.
Dottie Romo, the tax agency’s director of risk and control, wrote in an affidavit filed with a court that the IRS turned over confidential taxpayer information even though DHS did not provide sufficient data to identify them, according to information cited by the newspaper.
U.S. law imposes strict limits on the disclosure of tax information, including barriers to data sharing within the federal government.
For years, undocumented immigrants have paid taxes with assurances from the federal government that by doing so they would not be targeted by immigration authorities.
The IRS notified DHS of the error on January 23 to begin taking steps to “prevent the disclosure or dissemination, and to ensure the proper disposal,” of any data provided to immigration authorities.
Filed under: IRS turned over immigrant data
With information from EFE
