The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has accused a staff member from Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s Illinois office of falsely claiming to be an immigration attorney to gain access to — and secure the release of — a detained illegal immigrant.
According to Fox News, in a letter sent Wednesday to Sen. Duckworth, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons alleged that Edward York, identified as a Constituent Outreach Coordinator for the senator, misrepresented himself as the attorney for Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval, a 40-year-old Mexican national who has been deported four times and convicted of DUI.
According to the letter, York entered an ICE field office in St. Louis, Illinois, on October 29, where he told federal officers he was Sandoval’s legal counsel and demanded to meet with him.
“At approximately 1:29 p.m., an individual identified as Edward York, who, according to publicly available information, is employed as a Constituent Outreach Coordinator for your Senate office, entered the field office lobby, and in a discussion with a federal officer, claimed to be Mr. Ayuzo’s attorney. Mr. York demanded to speak with his ‘client,’” Lyons wrote.
DHS alleges that York falsified an official DHS form to gain access to the detainee and pursue his release. During the visit, York reportedly met with Sandoval and had him sign a G-28 form — a document that authorizes an attorney or accredited representative to act on an immigrant’s behalf.
However, the letter says that four days later, the Suarez Law Office in Collinsville, Illinois, electronically filed a G-28 form that did not contain Sandoval’s signature, even though York had obtained a signed version in person.
“It appears as if Mr. York may have collaborated with the firm to cover his misrepresentation,” the letter stated, adding that ICE could not verify that York is a licensed attorney.
The incident drew further attention when a Facebook post by the Montgomery County, Illinois Democrats described a staffer visiting an ICE facility “with the intention of misrepresenting himself to law enforcement.”
Lyons has demanded that Duckworth’s office respond by November 17, clarifying whether York knowingly falsified documents, whether his actions were authorized, and if other staff members were aware of the plan.
“I implore all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, as well as their staff, to stop the political games that put law enforcement and detainees at risk,” Lyons wrote. “It is my sincere hope that you will advocate on behalf of your constituents who have been victimized by illegal alien crime and work with DHS to remove these criminals from the United States.”
