The Department of Homeland Security has accused Edward York, a staffer in Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s office, of misrepresenting himself as an attorney to Jose Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval, an infamous four-times-deported illegal immigrant with a DUI conviction, at an ICE facility in St. Louis on October 29, 2025.
According to these allegations, York allegedly falsified a DHS G-28 form to secure Sandoval’s release, later collaborating with Suarez Law Office to submit an unsigned version. Reacting to this scandal, ICE demands that Duckworth respond by November 17 regarding York’s actions and staff involvement. Additionally, officials are urging Congress to cease putting law enforcement at risk and prioritize removing illegal immigrants.
In any case, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons sent a letter accusing the staff member of being involved in the crime. “At approximately 1:29 p.m., an individual identified as Edward York… claimed to be Mr. Ayuzo’s attorney. Mr. York demanded to speak with his ‘client,’” the letter read.
The official described the details of the scheme, saying, “This staff member allegedly did so to gain access to the detainee and seek his release from custody, and he accomplished it by falsifying an official Department of Homeland Security (DHS) form.”
Digging into the details of how this form was falsified, Lyons noted, “Four days later, a Suarez Law Office… filed a G-28 electronically that did not have Mr. Ayuzo’s signature, even though Mr. York… had already obtained a signed form,” adding, “It appears as if Mr. York may have collaborated with the firm to cover his misrepresentation.”
Additionally, Lyons requested information from Sen Duckworth to help with the investigation. Specifically, he asked, “information about York’s employment status, whether he knowingly falsified government documents, and whether other staff members were aware of his actions.” Building on this point, the same letter said, “I implore all members of the U.S. House… and Senate… to stop the political games that put law enforcement and detainees at risk.”
Concluding his comments, he expressed hope for cooperation with the senator. “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,” the respectful DHS official noted in the closing lines of his heartfelt letter.
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Offering an expert view on the subject, Jonathan Turley, a law professor and legal analyst, notes that “York is facing very serious potential charges if these allegations are true.” Building on this point, he said, “We need more details, which have not been forthcoming from the Duckworth office on whether this staffer is an attorney as allegedly claimed.”
On social media, the DHS’s social media team posted a video noting, “We look forward to a response from Senator Duckworth.” Responding, the Montgomery County, Illinois, Democrats’ Facebook page minimized the event by describing it as “a staffer going to an ICE field office with documents and a release order, misrepresenting himself to law enforcement.”