A staff member from Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s Senate office is facing allegations of falsifying documents and falsely identifying himself as an attorney in an attempt to free an illegal immigrant from ICE custody. According to a letter from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Edward York, a Constituent Outreach Coordinator for Duckworth’s office, entered an ICE field office in St. Louis, Ill., and claimed to be the attorney of Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval, a 40-year-old individual previously deported four times to Mexico and with a DUI conviction. ICE officials allege that York sought to secure Sandoval’s release by falsely representing himself as an attorney, leading to the detainee signing a G-28 form, which authorizes an attorney to represent a client on immigration matters and communicate with government agencies.
The accusations became even more complex when York later submitted a G-28 form without Sandoval’s signature, despite having already obtained the signed document in person. ICE claims that York may have colluded with the Suarez Law Office in Collinsville, Illinois, which electronically filed a G-28 form that also lacked the detainee’s signature. The agency further raised suspicions after discovering a Facebook post from the Montgomery County Illinois Democrats’ page, which detailed the incident, describing a staffer who arrived at an ICE field office with a packet of documents and a release order, intending to misrepresent himself to law enforcement.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, in a letter to Duckworth’s office, requested a response by Nov. 17, demanding information on York’s employment, whether he knowingly lied on government documents, and whether he acted with the knowledge of other members of Duckworth’s staff. In the letter, Lyons implored lawmakers and their staff to end what he described as ‘political games that put law enforcement and detainees at risk,’ and urged them to advocate for constituents who have been victimized by illegal alien crime and work with DHS to remove these criminals from the United States. Sen. Duckworth’s office has not yet responded to the allegations or the requests for comment.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about the integrity of the immigration system and the role of lawmakers, particularly those who advocate for immigration reform, in ensuring accountability. Many have criticized the incident as a potential breach of trust in the political process, highlighting the need for transparency and adherence to legal procedures. While the full extent of York’s actions and whether he acted independently or with the knowledge of others remains unclear, the allegations have drawn significant media attention and are being closely scrutinized by both the public and political figures.