The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused a member of Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s (D-IL) office of falsely claiming to be an attorney to help secure the release of a previously deported illegal immigrant.
In a letter sent Wednesday to Duckworth, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons detailed how the senator’s staffer allegedly deceived federal agents to gain access to a detainee and interfere in an immigration enforcement case.
According to the letter, Edward York, identified as a constituent outreach coordinator for Duckworth’s Senate office, entered an ICE facility in St. Louis, Illinois, on Oct. 29 and claimed to be the attorney representing Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval, a 40-year-old illegal immigrant who had been deported four times to Mexico and had a DUI conviction on his record.
“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,’” the letter states.
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ICE said York used this false claim to access the detainee and attempt to secure his release — even falsifying an official DHS form in the process.
While inside the facility, York allegedly met with Ayuzo and obtained his signature on a G-28 form, which designates legal representation in immigration matters. The form allows an attorney to receive official correspondence and act on behalf of a client before government agencies. But after obtaining the release order, York later attempted to submit the same form without the detainee’s signature, according to ICE.
“Four days later, a Suarez Law Office in Collinsville, Illinois, filed a G-28 electronically that did not have Mr. Ayuzo’s signature, even though Mr. York, who claimed to work for the law firm, had already obtained a signed form,” the letter describes.
“It appears as if Mr. York may have collaborated with the firm to cover his misrepresentation.”
ICE could not confirm that York was an attorney and grew more suspicious after discovering a Facebook post from the Montgomery County, Illinois Democrats, which appeared to brag about the incident. The post reportedly described how a staffer went to an ICE field office with a packet of documents and a release order and misrepresented himself to law enforcement — essentially validating the DHS account.
Lyons’ letter demands a formal response from Duckworth’s office by Nov. 17, seeking clarification on whether York knowingly falsified documents, whether he acted under direction from other staffers, and whether the senator’s office condoned the behavior.
“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.”
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ONE DOWN!!! KETS SEE HOW MANY MORE NEED TO BE EXPOSED!!!!!!!