The Department of Homeland Security has accused a staff member from Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s office of falsely claiming to be an immigration attorney in order to help release a detained illegal immigrant.
According to a letter sent by ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, the staffer — identified as Edward York, a Constituent Outreach Coordinator in Duckworth’s office — entered an ICE facility in St. Louis, Illinois on Oct. 29 and told federal officers he was the attorney for Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval. Sandoval, age 40, had been deported four times and had a prior DUI conviction.
The letter states that York gained access to the detainee by misrepresenting himself and had Sandoval sign a G-28 form, which authorizes legal representation in immigration cases. After receiving a release order, York allegedly attempted to submit a version of the form that did not include Sandoval’s signature, despite already having a signed copy.
ICE later learned that a law firm in Illinois electronically filed an unsigned G-28 form four days later, raising concerns that York may have worked with the firm to cover up the misrepresentation. ICE also found a Facebook post from the Montgomery County Illinois Democrats’ page discussing a staffer visiting the field office with the intention of misleading law enforcement.
In the letter, Lyons demanded answers from Duckworth’s office by Nov. 17 regarding York’s employment, whether he knowingly falsified government documents, and whether other staff members were aware of his actions. He criticized what he called “political games” that endanger law enforcement and urged lawmakers to work with DHS to protect communities.
Duckworth’s office has not commented publicly on the allegations.