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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.
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Kayla Bartkowski
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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.
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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.
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