Sen. Tammy Duckworth dismissed a member of her staff this week after federal officials said he posed as an attorney at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in an effort to secure the release of a previously deported Mexican national.
In a letter sent Monday to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, Duckworth said she had terminated Edward York, a constituent outreach coordinator in her Illinois office, following an internal review. York’s conduct came under scrutiny after ICE reported that he visited its St. Louis Field Office on Oct. 29 and identified himself as legal counsel for Jose Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval, who has been deported four times and has a prior DUI conviction, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
ICE officials said York demanded access to Sandoval and allegedly submitted paperwork claiming an attorney-client relationship that did not exist. DHS later alerted Duckworth’s office and requested answers regarding York’s actions, his employment status, and whether other staff members were aware of the attempt to obtain Sandoval’s release.
🚨 JUST IN: Senator Tammy Duckworth has terminated Edward York after ICE exposed his false claims of being an attorney for detained immigrant Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval. What a scandal! pic.twitter.com/wfOSXUXWpC
— Luca Taner (@LucaTaner) November 18, 2025
In her written response, Duckworth told Lyons that her office had no prior knowledge of York’s conduct.
“Neither I nor my leadership team was aware of, authorized or directed what your letter describes as the employee’s conduct,” Duckworth wrote. She added that York’s employment had been ended effective Nov. 17.
Sandoval remained in ICE custody following the incident.
York’s attempt occurred during a period of heightened immigration enforcement across the Midwest, with ICE conducting operations targeting repeat immigration violators and individuals with criminal records. Federal officials said Sandoval met those criteria due to his prior removals and criminal history.
Duckworth — who has supported protests and demonstrations critical of ICE operations in Illinois — is cooperating with DHS as it continues reviewing the incident. Her office has not released further details regarding York’s motive or how he gained access to the St. Louis facility.
ICE has not indicated whether additional charges or administrative actions may follow.
