Senator Tammy Duckworth’s office has fired a staff member accused of pretending to be a lawyer to help an undocumented immigrant get released from ICE custody.
The incident came to light after ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons sent a letter to Senator Duckworth on November 12, 2025, describing the actions of Edward York, who worked as a Constituent Outreach Coordinator in her office. According to the letter, York claimed to be the legal representative for Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval, a man detained by ICE in St. Louis. York allegedly used this false claim to gain access to Ayuzo and attempted to secure his release.
Lyons’ letter detailed how York entered the ICE facility on October 29 and told officers that he was Ayuzo’s attorney. He then demanded to meet with his “client.” To do this, York reportedly falsified an official Department of Homeland Security form known as the G-28, which is used to authorize an attorney to represent someone in immigration matters. After meeting with Ayuzo, York got him to sign the form. However, Ayuzo’s signature was reportedly missing on the version York tried to submit, and a nearby law office later filed a G-28 electronically without Ayuzo’s signature.
ICE officials became suspicious about York after seeing a post on the Montgomery County Democrats’ Facebook page, which led them to believe York intentionally misrepresented himself to law enforcement.
In a letter responding to Lyons on November 17, Senator Duckworth stated that neither she nor her leadership team knew about or approved York’s actions. She confirmed that York’s employment was terminated the same day.
Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval, the immigrant involved, has a history of being deported four times and has a DUI conviction. The case raises questions about how far some will go to influence immigration cases and the potential consequences of such actions.
This episode puts a spotlight on the practices within political offices and the responsibilities of staff when handling sensitive immigration cases. Senator Duckworth’s swift action to fire York underscores the seriousness with which her office is treating the matter.
