The recent agreement between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to share sensitive taxpayer information is deeply concerning to us. As an organization dedicated to supporting low-income families—regardless of immigration status—we believe this policy shift poses a grave threat to immigrant communities and undermines decades of privacy protections.

Immigrants, including undocumented workers, are vital to our communities and our economy. They pay billions of dollars annually into our tax system, often using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs), a process explicitly created to enable tax compliance by those without Social Security numbers. These contributions help fund essential programs that they are barred from accessing, including Social Security, Medicare, and Unemployment Insurance, and support schools, infrastructure, and social programs that benefit everyone. Historically, both Democratic and Republican administrations have encouraged undocumented immigrants to file taxes, explicitly promising protection of their personal information.

This new agreement between DHS and the IRS directly contradicts that promise. By sharing confidential taxpayer information, the federal government risks not only violating privacy rights but also creating an environment of fear and mistrust that discourages immigrant communities from filing taxes. The ripple effect could extend far beyond individual taxpayers, impacting state and local economies, public services funding, and community safety.

At My New Red Shoes, we stand in solidarity with immigrant communities who now face increased vulnerability. We echo the concerns raised by the ACLU of Northern California, the New York Immigration Coalition, and others who warn that such data-sharing agreements threaten immigrant safety and discourage compliance with critical civic responsibilities.

Privacy should never be weaponized or used as a tool to target vulnerable communities. Turning confidential taxpayer information into a resource for immigration enforcement undermines trust, safety, and civic participation. We strongly urge Congress, oversight bodies, and community leaders to challenge this agreement.

We encourage everyone who cares about immigrant rights and privacy protections to contact their elected representatives and demand accountability. Our communities are strongest when everyone can safely participate in civic life without fear of reprisal.

Together, we must protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all community members—especially our most vulnerable.