IRS Commissioner Fired Amidst Data Clash Over Undocumented Immigrant Information

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is embroiled in controversy following the abrupt dismissal of Commissioner Billy Long after a mere two months in office. Reports emerged Saturday indicating Long’s removal stemmed from a significant clash with the White House over the agency’s refusal to release confidential taxpayer data pertaining to individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.

The dispute intensified after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reportedly sent the IRS a list of 40,000 names last Thursday, seeking to cross-reference confidential taxpayer information to verify addresses. The IRS, however, was only able to verify a small fraction—less than 3%—of the names provided, primarily those with existing individual taxpayer identification (ITIN) numbers. Citing staunch taxpayer privacy rights, the IRS subsequently declined administration officials’ request for information on the identified taxpayers.

This incident highlights the White House’s ongoing push to leverage the IRS in its broader crackdown on illegal immigration, aiming to locate potentially millions of individuals without authorization. A data-sharing agreement between Homeland Security and the Treasury Department, which oversees the IRS, was established in April. Yet, Long appeared to resist acting on this agreement beyond statutory obligations.

Long’s dismissal on Friday marks his tenure as the shortest for a Senate-confirmed IRS commissioner in the agency’s 163-year history. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been appointed acting commissioner, making him the seventh leader for the agency this year.

Adding a surprising twist to the departure, Long, a former Missouri congressman, announced his new role as the U.S. Ambassador to Iceland shortly after his dismissal. He humorously alluded to the situation on social media, suggesting a mix-up between joining ICE and being sent to Iceland.

This development at the IRS comes amid broader pressures on federal agencies to align with administration priorities, following similar incidents involving the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor. The episode also brings renewed attention to the economic contributions of undocumented immigrants, who paid billions in federal, state, and local taxes in 2022, despite being largely excluded from benefits.

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