DHS said a member of Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s office, D-Ill., misrepresented himself as an attorney. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The letter says the staffer entered an ICE facility in St. Louis, Ill., on Oct. 29.
"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 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."
While at the facility, York successfully met with Ayuzo and got him to sign a G-28 form, the letter said. It allows an attorney to represent a client on immigration matters, empowering them to receive official correspondence, communicate with government agencies on their behalf and more.
After attaining a release order, the staffer then tried to submit the form without Sandoval’s signature, even after having completed the G-28 form in person, the letter said.
SENATE DEM DICK DURBIN ACCUSES TRUMP ADMIN OF 'TERRORIZING PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES'
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 14, 2025. (Getty Images)
"I implore all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, as well as their staff, to stop the political games that put law enforcement and detainees at risk," Lyons wrote.
"It is my sincere hope that you will advocate on behalf of your constituents who have been victimized by illegal alien crime and work with DHS to remove these criminals from the United States."
Sen. Duckworth’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bill Melugin currently serves as a Los Angeles-based correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in May 2021.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/duckworth-staffer-accused-posing-lawyer-attempt-free-illegal-immigrant-from-ice-custody