Court says the IRS can continue to share immigrants’ taxpayer data with ICE - AP News
AP News
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A federal appeals court has ruled that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can continue sharing immigrants' taxpayer data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a decision that has sparked concerns among privacy advocates and immigration rights groups. The court upheld a lower court’s earlier ruling, which allowed ICE to access financial information of noncitizens for enforcement purposes. This includes details such as Social Security numbers and income records, which could potentially be used to identify individuals who are in the country without authorization.
The case dates back to 2019 when the IRS began sharing data with ICE, drawing criticism from privacy groups. They argued that this practice violated federal law and posed a significant risk to immigrants’ privacy and financial security. While the government maintains that the information is crucial for immigration enforcement efforts, critics argue that it undermines trust in tax systems and could discourage undocumented individuals from filing taxes altogether.
This ruling has far-reaching implications for both immigration enforcement and individual privacy rights. Advocates warn that the sharing of sensitive taxpayer data with ICE could lead to increased targeting of immigrants, particularly those who are not U.S. citizens. They emphasize that this decision erodes trust in government institutions and may discourage immigrants from interacting with tax authorities, potentially leaving them vulnerable to financial exploitation or identity theft.
For readers interested in news about immigration enforcement and privacy rights, this ruling highlights the ongoing tension between national security concerns and individual freedoms. It also underscores the importance of understanding how government agencies handle sensitive personal data and the potential consequences of such practices on vulnerable populations. This decision is likely to spark further debate and legal challenges as advocates push for stronger protections against misuse of taxpayer information.
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Originally published on AP News on 2/24/2026