Chicago Groups Sue to Prevent Tax Info Disclosures to ICE, DHS

Two Chicago immigrant aid organizations have sued the US, seeking a court order preventing them from having to report tax information that could be used in deportations.

Centro de Trabajadores Unidos and Immigrant Solidarity DuPage, two not-for-profit groups that provide education and support to immigrant communities in Chicago’s South Side and western suburbs, filed the Washington federal court lawsuit on Friday, asserting disclosure of that informationto federal immigration authorities contravenes IRC Section 6103(a).

They cited several actions by President Donald Trump‘s administration to obtain the information, including names and addresses used to apply for Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers and other data sent to the IRS.

“The administration has incorrectly characterized all individuals not authorized to remain in the U.S. as criminals,” states the complaint. “Obtaining access to return and return information by falsely characterizing civil immigration enforcement as enforcement of criminal laws would circumvent section 6103’s carefully crafted and narrowly tailored exceptions to confidential treatment of tax records.”

The two groups help individuals apply for ITINs and provide other services informing them about their rights. The complaint does not indicate that the groups have received specific requests for information, but notes federal actions that require states to aid federal agencies in immigration enforcement.

They cite the Department of Homeland Security’s Jan. 23 finding of a “Mass Influx of Aliens,” which through regulatory provisions would allow it “to request assistance from state and local government in the administration of immigration laws.”

Without court intervention the groups say the information they have could be used to aid in detainment and deportation of illegal immigration, which has been a major administration priority.
The complaint, filed in US District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks to set aside any agency actions that contravene the tax code, and to enjoin the disclosure of taxpayer info to the Department of Homeland Security, the president, or “or others not authorized by state to receive it.”

Public Citizen Litigation Group represents the plaintiffs.

The case is Centro de Trabajadores Unidos v. Bessent, D.D.C., No. 1:25-cv-00677, complaint 3/7/25.