Illinois Sen Duckworth staffer accused of posing as an attorney to facilitate release of criminal illegal immigrant in ICE custody

Todd Lyons, Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sent a letter on Wednesday to Illinois Sen. Duckworth, a Democrat, stating that her staffer, Edward York, allegedly falsified an official DHS form to gain access to and facilitate the release of detained illegal immigrant Jose Ismael Ayuzo-Sandoval, 40, of Mexico. Ayuzo-Sandoval has a DUI conviction and four previous deportations, Fox News reported.

"At approximately 1:29 pm, 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 discussion with a federal officer, claimed to be Mr. Ayuzo's attorney. Mr. York demanded to speak with his 'client,'" Lyons' letter 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."

DHS released surveillance video featuring York in the alleged act.

The letter stated that York was able to meet with Ayuzo-Sandoval at the facility, where he obtained the illegal migrant's signature on a G-28 form. The form enables an attorney to represent a client on immigration matters, allowing them to receive official correspondence, communicate with government agencies on their behalf, and more.

York then attained a release order, but submitted the form without Ayuzo-Sandoval's signature. This, despite the staffer having completed the G-28 form in person, according to the letter obtained by Fox News.

ICE was unable to verify that York was an attorney, Lyons said.

"Four days later, a Suarez Law Office in Collinsville, Illinois, filed a G-2 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 continues. "It appears as if Mr. York may have collaborated with the firm to cover his misrepresentation."

Furthermore, Lyons contended that a Facebook post from Montgomery County, Illinois Democrats disclosed that a staffer had gone to an ICE field office with the intention to misrepresent himself to law enforcement, arriving with a packet of documents and an order of release, according to the letter.

Sen. Duckworth's office has no later than November 17 to comply with Lyons' requests for answers pertaining to York's actions and employment.