>> Continued From the Previous Page <<
DHS officials say this was not some innocent misunderstanding. They contend that the staffer’s impersonation was a calculated attempt to influence the detainee’s release. According to Lyons, York even went as far as to falsify official paperwork: “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.”
Once inside the ICE facility, the situation reportedly escalated. York met directly with Sandoval and convinced him to sign a G-28 form — a document that grants an attorney the legal authority to represent an immigrant in dealings with federal agencies. Fox News reported that gaining the signature allowed York to cast himself as Sandoval’s representative even though ICE could not verify he was an attorney.
Lyons’ letter says that after securing a release notice, York tried to re-submit the form without Sandoval’s signature, despite already having a fully signed version. DHS officials were left puzzled over why the staffer would attempt to file altered paperwork after the detainee had already provided a legitimate signature.
The story took an even stranger turn four days later. According to DHS, a Collinsville law firm — Suarez Law Office — filed yet another G-28 on Sandoval’s behalf, but this one also lacked the required signature. The letter states that “even though Mr. York, who claimed to work for the law firm, had already obtained a signed form,” the new filing raised further concerns. Lyons warned that “It appears as if Mr. York may have collaborated with the firm to cover his misrepresentation.”
USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.
The entire episode only came to light after ICE agents stumbled upon a Facebook post made by the Montgomery County Illinois Democrats. The post reportedly bragged about a staffer bringing a “packet of documents” and a release order to an ICE office with the intention of posing as legal counsel. That social-media post, DHS said, became the key piece of evidence that prompted a deeper review.
Lyons has now demanded that Sen. Duckworth’s office respond by November 17. DHS wants answers about York’s job duties, whether he knowingly submitted false government records, and whether anyone on Duckworth’s staff directed or approved the deception. The acting director didn’t hold back, writing: “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.”
In closing, Lyons urged Duckworth to stand with crime victims instead of meddling with enforcement efforts, stating: “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.”
If the allegations hold up, this controversy could turn into yet another major scandal involving Democrats attempting to influence the immigration system behind closed doors — and DHS officials appear ready to push this one as far as it needs to go.
