Duckworth fires staffer who claimed to be attorney for detained illegal immigrant with criminal history
In a significant incident highlighting the complexities of immigration enforcement and political accountability, a staff member for Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., has been dismissed after allegedly misrepresenting himself as an attorney to secure the release of a detained illegal immigrant. The staffer, Edward York, reportedly claimed to represent Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval, a 40-year-old man with a history of DUI convictions and multiple deportations back to Mexico. This incident unfolded on October 29 when York entered an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in St. Louis, Illinois, asserting that he was Sandoval’s legal counsel and demanding access to him. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), York’s actions included falsifying an official DHS form to gain entry and advocate for Sandoval’s release.
The gravity of this situation was underscored in a letter from Todd Lyons, the Acting Director of ICE, to Senator Duckworth, where he detailed the staffer’s conduct. In response, Duckworth promptly addressed the matter, affirming that neither she nor her leadership team had any prior knowledge of York’s actions. She confirmed the termination of his employment, effective November 17, 2025, and emphasized her commitment to upholding ethical standards within her office. This swift action reflects the increasing scrutiny of congressional staffers’ conduct, particularly in relation to immigration issues, which have become a focal point of national debate. The incident also raises questions about the boundaries of advocacy in immigration cases and the responsibilities of public officials when engaging with federal law enforcement agencies.
Duckworth’s office has been proactive in addressing the situation, responding to ICE’s inquiries and maintaining transparency about the staffer’s misconduct. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by lawmakers in navigating immigration policy while ensuring that their staff adhere to legal and ethical standards. As immigration remains a contentious issue in American politics, the implications of this case may resonate beyond the immediate fallout, influencing public perceptions of both the Democratic Party’s stance on immigration and the integrity of its representatives.
A staffer for Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., has been fired after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said he misrepresented himself as the attorney of a detained
illegal immigrant
to facilitate the man’s release.
Last week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons told the Illinois Democrat that her staffer,
Edward York,
claimed he was legally representing Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval.
Sandoval, a 40-year-old illegal immigrant, had a DUI conviction and was previously deported four times to Mexico.Â
According to ICE, the staffer made the claim to federal agents after entering an
ICE
facility in St. Louis, Illinois, on Oct. 29.
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“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 Nov. 12 letter from ICE states.
“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.”
In a letter on Monday, Duckworth addressed Lyons and said that the staffer was fired.
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“Upon reviewing the matter, I can confirm that neither I nor my leadership team was aware of, authorized or directed what your letter describes as the employee’s conduct,” the message read.
Duckworth then confirmed that her office “terminated the employment of said employee, effective November 17, 2025.”
Lyons had given the senator a Monday deadline to provide answers about the staffer’s employment and whether he knowingly lied on government documents.
Fox News’ Michael Tobin, Leo Briceno and Kyle Schmidbauer contributed to this report.
