Tax Filers Concerned IRS Will Share Info with Immigration Authorities

Chicago-area residents fear tax returns could trigger deportations

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:27pm

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A solitary figure sits at a desk in a dimly lit room, the warm glow of sunlight casting long shadows across the space, evoking a sense of quiet contemplation and unease around the tax filing process.As fears of deportation loom, some undocumented immigrants are avoiding the tax filing process altogether, posing a financial risk for the government.Chicago Today

Tax filers in the Chicago area are concerned the IRS will share information with the Department of Homeland Security's immigration enforcement authorities, leading to potential deportations. Some immigrants are opting not to file tax returns at all due to these fears, which could cost the government billions in lost revenue.

Why it matters

This issue highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and the need for undocumented immigrants to participate in the tax system. It also raises concerns about the IRS potentially sharing taxpayer data with other government agencies, which could have a chilling effect on filing compliance.

The details

Some immigrants are choosing not to file tax returns this year out of fear that the IRS will share their information with immigration officials, leading to potential deportation. Tax professionals say this could cost the government billions in lost revenue over the next decade as migration to the U.S. declines and deportations increase. There is currently a court injunction preventing the IRS from sharing most taxpayer information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but the final ruling on this lawsuit is still pending.

  • Tax Day is April 15, 2026.
  • The court injunction on IRS-ICE data sharing has been in place since 2025.

The players

Evelyn Vazquez

A tax professional who has seen immigrants avoid filing taxes out of fear of deportation.

Rafael Villagomez

An Elgin, Illinois realtor who says many undocumented immigrants are too afraid to even leave their homes, let alone file taxes.

Vanessa Zamudio

An attorney who says some immigrants are forgoing tax refunds they are owed to avoid the risk of deportation.

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What they’re saying

“They're scared of immigration getting information and going to their properties or job sites going where their children are in school.”

— Evelyn Vazquez, Tax professional

“Billions of dollars the government is not going to receive because of that.”

— Rafael Villagomez, Elgin realtor

“They'd rather forego that refund than risk being deported.”

— Vanessa Zamudio, Attorney

What’s next

A Chicago attorney has filed a lawsuit seeking a final ruling on the court injunction preventing the IRS from sharing taxpayer information with immigration authorities. The outcome of this lawsuit could have major implications for undocumented immigrants' willingness to file taxes in the future.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the difficult balance between immigration enforcement and maintaining a functional tax system. Policymakers will need to address these concerns to ensure all residents, regardless of immigration status, feel safe participating in the tax filing process.