One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
What undocumented SoCal residents should know about the IRS deal with ICE
A sign for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) outside its building in Washington, DC.
(
Kayla Bartkowski
/
Getty Images
)
The Internal Revenue Service said this week it would share the names and addresses of certain immigrants without legal status with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Historically, the IRS has encouraged undocumented communities to file taxes through Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) while keeping that information private from other agencies.
This decision is a significant shift in the policy, and may leave many undocumented Angelenos wondering if they’re affected, and what to do about filing taxes this year.
L.A. County’s tax deadline was extended to October because of the wildfires, but residents of other counties may have to decide quickly.
-
The city’s new land-use plan draft calls for mixed housing and business zones along La Brea Avenue, Arbor Vitae Street and Century Boulevard. -
President Donald Trump declared that Canada has unfairly discriminated against American autos, alcohol and dairy products. -
California state workers must report to the office four days a week under an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom. Other states allow more remote work.
It’s unclear when the IRS will begin sharing information, as many details aren’t yet clear. Immigrant rights advocates, including Boyle Heights’ Inclusive Action for the City, are already suing the agency over its plans.
Here’s what you should know
Under the new agreement, ICE will be able to request names and addresses of two groups:
- Undocumented immigrants who have final orders of removal.
- Undocumented immigrants who are under criminal investigation, including for failing to leave the country after 90 days, according to NPR.
If you were planning to file taxes this year, you should first seek assistance from reputable immigrant-focused organizations, such as:
- Community-based organizations serving Southern California. For example, the Coalition for Humane Immigrants Rights of L.A. (CHIRLA) or the Korean Youth + Community Center
- Organizations listed on the Immigration Advocates Network
If you are under final orders for removal, filing your taxes could put you at increased risk for deportation, so it's especially important to get assistance.
Be familiar with your rights. ICE can show up with an arrest warrant, but it must be signed by a judge and issued by a court to be valid.
Sponsored message
Learn more about your rights
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
