Statement from the Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island on the IRS-ICE Information Sharing Agreement
It is a dangerous precedent that undermines the privacy protections Congress built into our tax laws. Taxpayer confidentiality has been a bedrock of our democracy since the post-Watergate era.
From an Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island press release:
The Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island1, a network of 38 organizations committed to the rights and dignity of immigrants across our state, strongly opposes the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States Department of the Treasury (IRS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This agreement, recently filed in ongoing federal litigation, opens the door for the federal government to use tax records of undocumented individuals in immigration enforcement.
For years, our communities have been encouraged—by the government, nonprofits, and legal experts alike—to file taxes using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs), even without legal status. In 2023 alone, they contributed nearly $96.7 billion in taxes, with approximately $59 billion going to federal taxes, while the remaining 37.3 billion was paid to state and local governments. These contributions support essential public services and programs that benefit all residents. Weaponizing their compliance and contributions by using their tax information for deportation purposes is not only unjust but also counterproductive, careless, and cruel.
According to the IRS itself, no taxpayer data has been released under this agreement yet. However, the MOU outlines a process for ICE to request taxpayer information under narrow legal provisions meant for active criminal investigations. It uses Executive Order 14161 to justify what is, in reality, a mass enforcement strategy aimed at targeting those who have been ordered removed but remain in the country.
This is not routine law enforcement. It is a dangerous precedent that undermines the privacy protections Congress built into our tax laws. Taxpayer confidentiality has been a bedrock of our democracy since the post-Watergate era. This marks the first time in decades that those protections are at risk of being repurposed for political goals.
This MOU threatens to weaponize tax filings—once viewed as a good-faith civic act—against a vulnerable population. If carried out, this agreement could devastate local economies, reduce critical revenue from tax compliance, and create widespread fear and confusion across immigrant communities. The ripple effect will be felt far beyond Rhode Island.
We urge Congress and state leaders to take immediate action:
Demand full transparency and access to the unredacted agreement
Block any implementation of this policy without public review
Convene urgent hearings with the Treasury and DHS
Protect the confidentiality of all taxpayers, regardless of status
This is about more than immigration. It’s about whether any American can trust that their private information won’t be turned against them for political gain.
We call on our partners, elected officials, and neighbors to stand with us. We will not allow decades of trust and hard work to be erased by a backroom agreement. We remain committed to fighting for dignity, fairness, and the rights of every member of our communities—documented or not.
In solidarity,
Juan Pablo Ocampo Sheen, Coordinator c/o Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island
THE IMMIGRANT COALITION OF RHODE ISLAND MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island (ACLU RI)
AMOR: Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance
Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education (ARISE)
Center for Justice RI
Coalition for a Multilingual RI (CMRI)
Coalition of Advocates for Student Opportunities (CASO)
Conexión Latina Newport Connecting for Children and Families
DARE: Direct Action For Rights And Equality
Diocese of Providence
Dorcas International Institute
Economic Progress Institute
Elmwood Avenue Church of God Refugee Relief
First Unitarian Church of Providence Sanctuary Group
Fuerza Laboral
International House of Rhode Island
Latino Policy Institute
New Bridges for Haitian Success
Olneyville Neighborhood Association (ONA)
Olneyville Resilience Hub
Oasis International
Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
Progreso Latino
Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM)
Refugee Dream Center
Rhode Island KIDS COUNT
Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV)
RI Coalition for Children and Families
RI Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty
RI State Council of Churches RWU Immigration Law Clinic
RWU Pro Bono Collaborative
Sisters of Mercy
Sojourner House
Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice
The Jewish Alliance of Greater RI
The Liberian Community Association
Truth in Immigration Project