A staffer for Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is under scrutiny after allegedly impersonating an immigration attorney to help an illegal immigrant avoid detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to a letter obtained by Fox News, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons informed Sen. Duckworth that her staffer, Edward York, posed as a lawyer to access and aid the release of Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval, a 40-year-old illegal immigrant with four prior deportations and a DUI conviction.
York, a Constituent Outreach Coordinator in Duckworth’s office, visited an ICE facility in St. Louis, Illinois, on October 29. There, he allegedly claimed to be Ayuzo’s attorney and demanded a meeting with him. ICE officials say York then got Ayuzo to sign a G-28 form—an official document used to authorize legal representation in immigration cases.
Lyons’ letter states that York later tried to file a different G-28 form through the Suarez Law Office, this time missing Ayuzo’s signature. ICE believes this may have been an attempt to conceal York’s misrepresentation.
Officials are now questioning whether York coordinated with the law firm to cover up the impersonation and whether other staffers in Duckworth’s office were aware of the alleged deception. ICE has not been able to confirm that York has any legal credentials.
A Facebook post from the Montgomery County Illinois Democrats hinted at the incident, describing how a staffer showed up at a federal facility with forged documents and a release order.
“This type of behavior puts law enforcement and detainees at risk,” Lyons wrote, demanding answers from Duckworth’s office by Monday.
Lyons urged lawmakers to stop “political games” and instead support efforts to deport individuals with serious criminal histories.
