By The Department of Homeland Security has accused a staff member in Senator Tammy Duckworth’s office of posing as an attorney in an attempt to free a previously deported immigrant with a criminal record, according to an official letter sent Wednesday.
The allegation centers on Edward York, identified as a Constituent Outreach Coordinator for Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois. In correspondence addressed to the senator, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons claimed that York misrepresented himself during a visit to an ICE field office in St. Louis on October 29. Lyons wrote that “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 detainee, 40-year-old Jose Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval, had been deported to Mexico four times and previously convicted of driving under the influence, ICE records show., according to Fox News
This @SenDuckworth staff member allegedly claimed to be the lawyer of a 40-year-old illegal immigrant who had been deported to Mexico 4 times and had a DUI conviction, in order to seek his release from custody. He accomplished this by falsifying an official Department of Homeland… pic.twitter.com/R3ggCwolE6
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) November 12, 2025
According to the letter, York obtained access to Sandoval, secured his signature on a G-28 form — which authorizes legal representation — and later attempted to submit a release order. Four days later, a Collinsville, Illinois, law firm electronically filed another G-28 form lacking Sandoval’s signature, despite York having obtained one in person. Lyons wrote that “it appears as if Mr. York may have collaborated with the firm to cover his misrepresentation.”
It’s a reminder that Democrats view illegal immigrants as the Americans they really care about.
ICE officials could not confirm York’s status as a licensed attorney. The suspicion intensified after a Facebook post from the Montgomery County Illinois Democrats described a staffer visiting an ICE office “with documents and a release order” while allegedly intending to misrepresent his role.
Lyons requested a formal response from Duckworth’s office by November 17, seeking clarification on York’s employment, his knowledge of potential falsification of federal documents, and whether other staffers were aware of his actions. “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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