Key points: Sen. Tammy Duckworth fired a staffer after ICE accused him of falsely claiming to be an immigrant detainee's lawyer to gain access and seek the man's release. The detainee, Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval, is 40 and has a prior DUI and four deportations to Mexico. ICE says the staffer, Edward York, entered an ICE field office in St. Louis on Oct. 29 and allegedly used a falsified DHS form; Duckworth terminated the employee effective Nov. 17, 2025.
Duckworth Fires Staffer After He Allegedly Posed as Detainee’s Lawyer to Secure Release
Key points: Sen. Tammy Duckworth fired a staffer after ICE accused him of falsely claiming to be an immigrant detainee's lawyer to gain access and seek the man's release. The detainee, Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval, is 40 and has a prior DUI and four deportations to Mexico. ICE says the staffer, Edward York, entered an ICE field office in St. Louis on Oct. 29 and allegedly used a falsified DHS form; Duckworth terminated the employee effective Nov. 17, 2025.
09:41 AM, 11/18/2025Politics
Sen. Tammy Duckworth terminates staffer after ICE alleges impersonation
A staff member in the office of Sen. Tammy Duckworth has been dismissed after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) informed the senator that he allegedly misrepresented himself as the attorney for a detained immigrant to try to obtain the man's release.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons notified Duckworth last week that the staffer, identified as Edward York, entered an ICE field office in St. Louis on Oct. 29 and told federal agents he was representing 40-year-old Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval. According to ICE records cited by officials, Sandoval has a prior DUI conviction and has been deported to Mexico four times.
The Nov. 12 letter from ICE states that York, described as a Constituent Outreach Coordinator in the senator's 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."'
ICE alleges York sought access to the detainee and attempted to secure his release by falsifying an official Department of Homeland Security form. The agency requested information from the senator about York's employment status and whether the office had any knowledge of or had authorized the conduct.
In her response, Senator Duckworth said neither she nor her leadership team was aware of or authorized the employee's actions. Duckworth confirmed the office terminated York's employment effective November 17, 2025, and said the matter is under review.
The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between congressional offices and federal immigration authorities over detainee access and case handling. ICE provided the initial notification to the senator, and the agency continues to investigate the alleged falsification of federal paperwork.