Despite the widespread belief that immigrants with no legal status never
file or pay taxes, the fact is that according to the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS), almost 4.5 million immigrants with no Social Security numbers filed
federal tax returns
last year. Instead, these individuals use Individual Taxpayer Identification
Numbers (ITINs) to file tax returns, which is a common sign that they
have no legal status to be in the United States. This group of taxpayers,
despite their lack of legal status, paid almost $24 billion in federal
taxes. Obviously, this is a substantial contribution to the American economy
that many citizens do not realize exists. The crackdown on immigrants
who have no legal status by the Trump administration, however, has had
a definite impact on individuals with ITINs who have filed tax returns
in the past. Evidence from taxpayer assistance programs this year suggested
that the number of individuals using ITINs to file taxes has substantially
decreased, by as much as 20% in the San Francisco Bay Area. Anecdotal
evidence from other areas of the country suggests similar decreases in
the number of taxpayers with ITINs. Although the IRS is prohibited from
sharing taxpayer information, such as addresses, with other government
agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, this class of
immigrants is distrustful of the prohibition. This is particularly the
case given the current administration’s stance on immigrants and
deportations. With the number of deportations steadily increasing, immigrants
with no legal status increasingly fear deportation, both for themselves,
and for their families. The consequences of deportation are grave; many
families face a permanent separation from their children and other relatives,
which is a risk that they are unwilling to take. At
Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., we are watching the new administration’s policies regarding deportation
closely. Whether the administration continues the current crackdown or
not, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of detained noncitizens
and working toward their release from detention. We know how to evaluate
your case, explore your options, and provide you with the strongest defense
against removal possible. Contact your
California deportation defense attorneys
today and set up an appointment to speak with our legal team.
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