Senator’s Staffer accused of Misrepresenting himself to ICE
A staff member in Senator Tammy Duckworth’s Belleville office has been terminated following allegations of falsely presenting himself as an attorney to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The allegations were brought forward by ICE Field Office Director robert Lyons in a letter to Senator Duckworth’s office last week.
The incident occured on October 29th, hours after ICE detained Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval near his daughter’s school. According to Lyons’ letter, the staffer, identified as a constituent outreach coordinator, went to the ICE office in St. Louis and claimed to be Sandoval’s legal counsel, demanding access to the detainee. He then requested a G-28 form – a Notice of Entry of Appearance as an Attorney or Accredited Representative – allegedly to facilitate Sandoval’s release.
ICE agents, believing the staffer was an attorney, shared non-public information about sandoval’s case, including a record of four prior deportations and a DUI conviction. However,ICE was later unable to verify the staffer’s claim of being an attorney.
Following the incident, the Suarez Law Office in Collinsville, Illinois, filed a G-28 form on sandoval’s behalf four days later. A social media post from the Montgomery County Democrats indicated a member of Duckworth’s office had visited the ICE field office “with a packet of documents including a release order,” and suggested concealing their affiliation with the Senator’s office to encourage cooperation. Lyons’ letter suggests a possible collaboration between the staffer and the law firm to cover up the initial misrepresentation.
Senator Duckworth’s office responded in a letter stating that neither she nor her leadership team were aware of, authorized, or directed the staffer’s actions.
Sandoval remains in ICE custody in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, as his attorney, marleen Suarez, fights his deportation. Suarez has filed a petition stating Sandoval was never convicted of DUI, and the related traffic case was dismissed after completing supervision.
Attorneys for both York and Suarez declined to comment. Senator Duckworth’s office did not respond to requests for comment. Sandoval is a restaurant owner and well-regarded member of the Staunton, Illinois community, where residents have rallied in his support.
This report is based on information provided in a Capitol News Illinois article.
