A staffer for Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) has been accused of pretending to be a lawyer in an attempt to help an illegal immigrant escape from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Edward York, a member of Duckworth’s office, posed as an attorney for a detained illegal immigrant to facilitate the individual’s release from ICE custody, according to a report by Fox News.

On Wednesday, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons sent a letter to Duckworth informing the Illinois senator that York told federal agents he was illegal immigrant Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval’s lawyer.

York, a Constituent Outreach Coordinator for Duckworth’s Senate office, entered an ICE facility in St. Louis, Illinois, on October 29, “and in a discussion wi

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