Federal politicians in New York urge Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to scrutinize charitable organizations, known as 'sanctuary' groups, for allegedly flouting Trump administration's and federal immigration laws.

Four Legal Advocacy Groups Face Potential Tax-Exempt Status Revocation Over Sanctuary Activities

Four legal and migrant advocacy groups based in New York have come under scrutiny for their sanctuary activities, with Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island) and Claudia Tenney (R-Watertown) urging the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to investigate them.

The groups, which include the Bronx Defenders, the NY Immigration Coalition, Make the Road NY, and NY Lawyers for the Public Interest, have been receiving millions in public funds. According to the lawmakers, the Bronx Defenders alone has received over $500 million in city and state contracts since fiscal year 2018. Make the Road NY was awarded $56 million, the NY Immigration Coalition $46 Million, and NY Lawyers for the Public Interest, $19 million over the years.

The IRS rules granting groups tax-exempt status are for charitable, religious, or educational purposes, not for groups that obstruct federal law. The groups are accused of encouraging, inducing, or aiding and abetting aliens in unlawfully entering, remaining in, or evading detection within the United States. This includes their advocacy for New York's sanctuary policies and pushing for a statewide sanctuary bill - the New York for All Act.

Reps. Malliotakis and Tenney have written a letter to the IRS, arguing that the groups' actions may obstruct federal immigration enforcement and engage in unlawful advocacy. They have referred to President Trump's April 28, 2025, executive order that directs agencies to withhold funds from sanctuary jurisdictions. The executive order specifically mentions New York City as a sanctuary jurisdiction that restricts or refuses to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

One of the groups, the Bronx Defenders, has fought to block ICE from operating at the Rikers Island jail complex and state courthouses. The lawmakers have requested the IRS to examine whether the pro-sanctuary groups' actions violate the rules for tax-exempt status. If the IRS concludes the groups have violated the rules, the lawmakers have requested their tax-exempt status be revoked.

The IRS declined to comment, citing privacy laws for tax-exempt organizations. The lawmakers did not receive responses from representatives of the groups when they requested comment. The pro-sanctuary group among the four mentioned organizations that has received the largest amount of public funding since the start of fiscal year 2018 is not specified in the provided information.

The situation remains under investigation, and it remains to be seen whether the IRS will take any action against the four groups. This development comes amidst ongoing debates about immigration policies in the United States.