Sen. Duckworth Fires Staffer Accused of Posing as Attorney to Secure Release of Criminal Illegal From ICE Custody

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) has terminated the staffer accused of posing an an attorney to secure the release a previously deported criminal illegal alien.

The detainee, 40-year-old Mexican national Jose Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval, had previously been deported four times and has a DUI conviction, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

On October 29, Edward York, Duckworth’s former constituent outreach coordinator, was caught on video at an ICE facility in St. Louis claiming to be Sandoval’s attorney and demanding to speak with his “client.” He also allegedly falsified an official government form to secure Sandoval’s release.

In a letter to Duckworth, last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons demanded answers no later than Nov. 17 regarding York’s employment, whether he knowingly lied on government documents, and whether he acted with the knowledge of other members of the senator’s staff.

Duckworth responded on Wednesday, telling ICE in letter that she wasn’t aware of her outreach coordinator’s conduct, nor did she authorize or direct it. She said he was fired effective November 17.

Duckworth, who openly supported the often violent anti-ICE demonstrations in Broadview Illinois,  is reportedly cooperating with the DHS investigation.