GET THE APP
Friday, April 10, 2026

Category: Immigration
November 17, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Officer Injured as Suspect Rams Police Cars During Immigration Raid.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A law enforcement officer was injured after a man allegedly drove a van toward officers, rammed their vehicles, and led them on a high-speed chase during an immigration enforcement operation in Charlotte, North Carolina.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The suspect, a U.S. citizen with a prior criminal record, and federal agents conducting immigration raids.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Sunday afternoon near the University City area in Charlotte.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “During the chase, he attempted to ram into law enforcement vehicles—posing a serious public safety threat.” – Department of Homeland Security

🎯IMPACT: The incident highlights the risks faced by law enforcement during immigration operations and underscores the federal push to address public safety threats.

IN FULL

On Sunday, a law enforcement officer was injured during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, after a group of officers were rammed in their vehicles by a suspect unconnected to the raid. The immigration raids, which have resulted in the arrests of at least 81 illegal immigrants, were part of a federal enforcement effort, according to Border Patrol officials.

The suspect, identified as a U.S. citizen, accelerated his van at officers conducting the operation near the University City area, according to a post on X (formerly Twitter) from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). After fleeing the scene, the suspect initiated what the DHS described as a “dangerous high-speed chase through a densely populated area” before agents managed to box him in.

“During the chase, he attempted to ram into law enforcement vehicles—posing a serious public safety threat,” DHS said in a statement. “As agents were boxing him in—the driver proceeded to ram law enforcement vehicles in an attempt to escape.” One officer was injured in the incident, and a firearm was later discovered in the suspect’s van, officials confirmed.

The DHS noted that the perpetrator has “prior arrests for resisting law enforcement, public disturbance, and intoxication/disruptive conduct.” The encounter occurred during a major immigration enforcement operation in Charlotte over the weekend, where U.S. Border Patrol agents were seen making arrests across the city of more than 900,000 residents.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that the operation is part of a federal push to ensure “Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed.” Similar immigration enforcement raids have recently been conducted in California, Illinois, Oregon, and New York.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
November 14, 2025
Immigration
News

DHS Deports Violent Migrant Judge Tried to Hide From ICE.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A Mexican migrant with a criminal history, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, was deported after being assisted by a Wisconsin judge in evading immigration authorities earlier this year.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, Judge Hannah Dugan, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The deportation occurred on Thursday, following an incident in April at a Milwaukee County courthouse.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and remove you from our country. That’s a promise.” – Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin

🎯IMPACT: The Flores-Ruiz case has raised concerns about judicial activism against the enforcement of immigration laws.

IN FULL

A 31-year-old Mexican national, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who had a long history of violent crime and was previously deported in 2013, has been removed from the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Thursday. After re-entering the U.S. without authorization, Flores-Ruiz faced charges including strangulation, suffocation, battery, and domestic abuse.

The removal follows an April hearing in Milwaukee County where Hannah Dugan, a county circuit judge, is accused of helping Flores-Ruiz evade arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Court records allege she hid him in her jury room and escorted him out of the courtroom through a back door. Dugan faces federal obstruction charges and has pleaded not guilty.

“Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a previously removed illegal alien, has a laundry list of violent criminal charges including strangulation and suffocation, battery, and domestic abuse,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Judge Hannah Dugan’s actions to obstruct this violent criminal’s arrest take activist judge to a whole new meaning.” She added: “Thanks to the brave men and women of ICE law enforcement, this criminal is OUT of our country.”

According to the complaint, victims and prosecutors were present in the courtroom when Dugan allegedly facilitated Flores-Ruiz’s exit while ICE agents waited outside. Dugan’s defense maintains she was acting in her capacity as a judge and is claiming immunity, while also challenging the federal presence in a state courtroom as a violation of Wisconsin’s sovereignty.

During his sentencing on immigration violations last week, U.S. District Judge Pamela Pepper told Flores-Ruiz: “I very much hope you can find a way to make a living back home rather than coming back here.” Following the hearing, he was deported to Mexico.

The case illustrates ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and leftist judges. Several Biden-era judges have freed migrants arrested in operations in cities like Chicago, Illinois, where a judge order DHS to free hundreds of illegals earlier this week.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
November 14, 2025
Crime
Immigration

DHS Blasts California Sanctuary Law Following Fatal DUI by Illegal Immigrant.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A 71-year-old California man, Barry William Tutt, was killed in a hit-and-run involving an illegal immigrant driving under the influence.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The victim, Barry William Tutt, the suspect, Mexican illegal immigrant Humberto Munoz-Gatica, who has a criminal record, and California Democrats, including Governor Gavin Newsom.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The killing occurred last Friday in Orange County, California.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “How many Americans must be killed before [Governor Gavin Newsom’s] sanctuary state of California works with federal law enforcement—instead of against them?” – Department of Homeland Security

🎯IMPACT: The case has reignited debates over sanctuary state policies and their impact on public safety.

IN FULL

Barry William Tutt, a 71-year-old man from California, was killed last Friday in a hit-and-run incident in Orange County. The suspect, Humberto Munoz-Gatica, a 57-year-old Mexican illegal immigrant, was reportedly driving under the influence when he struck Tutt and fled the scene. Witnesses helped law enforcement locate Munoz-Gatica, who now faces charges related to hit-and-run and suspicion of DUI.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement condemning California’s sanctuary state policies, which hinder cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. “This criminal illegal alien from Mexico, Humberto Munoz-Gatica, was released by the Obama Administration. He NEVER should have been here,” DHS posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “How many Americans must be killed before [Gavin Newsom’s] sanctuary state of California works with federal law enforcement—instead of against them?”

DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Tricia McLaughlin, added that this tragedy is “yet another example of sanctuary and open border policies putting American lives at risk.” According to DHS, Munoz-Gatica entered the United States on a tourist visa that expired in 2008. He was arrested by ICE in 2011 under the former Obama government, but was later released into the country. DHS noted that he has a prior conviction for grand theft.

Democrat California Governor Gavin Newsom office responded to DHS’s criticism, with Brandon Richards, Newsom’s spokesman, claiming that “Despite the Trump Admin’s repeated false claims, California cooperates with the federal government when it comes to criminals.”

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
November 13, 2025
Immigration

ICE Hiring Bounty Hunters, Private Eyes, and Skip Tracers to Catch Illegals.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking to hire private investigators, bounty hunters, and skip tracers to locate and track immigrants for deportation purposes, according to government documents.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE, private contractors, and vendors tasked with skip tracing services under the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The contracts, which could total up to $180 million, involve operations across the United States and are part of ongoing efforts under the Trump administration.

💬KEY QUOTE: “To achieve a higher level of confidence, the vendor may physically verify the alien’s location and presence, preferably confirming their home or work location,” according to the documents.

🎯IMPACT: The initiative is part of a broader strategy to expand illegal immigration arrests and detentions across the country.

IN FULL

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning to hire private investigators, including bounty hunters and skip tracers, to locate tens of thousands of immigrants as part of an effort to expand deportations. Government documents indicate that ICE has an “immediate need” for services such as physical surveillance, skip tracing, and the collection of verification documents.

The contracts, which could amount to as much as $180 million, involve tracking over one million immigrant homes through what ICE refers to as “enhanced location research.” This includes gathering utility bills, photographs, and other documents to confirm an immigrant’s residency or employment status. Vendors would receive batches of 50,000 addresses to investigate and must provide time-stamped photographs and reports on the physical locations of targets.

Documents state that vendors are required to comply with all laws regarding data collection and privacy. The contracts also outline the potential use of surveillance technology for real-time tracking and emphasize the importance of transparency in the skip tracing process. “The vendor should prioritize locating the home address and only resort to employment location, failing that,” the documents add.

This effort is part of a larger push under the Trump administration to increase illegal immigration arrests and expand detention space. ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division is also seeking to hire 10,000 new agents by next year.

The administration has allocated significant funding to immigration enforcement under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), making ICE one of the most well-funded policing agencies globally.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
November 13, 2025
Immigration

California to Cancel 17,000 CDLs Issued to Illegal Immigrants.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: California announced plans to revoke 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrants after discovering their expiration dates extended beyond the drivers’ legal stay in the U.S.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: California officials, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy, and Governor Gavin Newsom (D).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Announced on Wednesday in California, following a review initiated by federal concerns.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “After weeks of claiming they did nothing wrong, Gavin Newsom and California have been caught red-handed. Now that we’ve exposed their lies, 17,000 illegally issued trucking licenses are being revoked,” said Sean Duffy.

🎯IMPACT: The revocation follows federal scrutiny and raises broader questions about licensing standards and immigration policy enforcement.

IN FULL

California officials are finally admitting they issued commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to illegal immigrants. On Wednesday, state officials announced they will revoke 17,000 CDLs that were granted to immigrants who they now acknowledge remained in the U.S. after the expiration of their legal status.

The decision comes on the heels of heavy criticism from the Trump White House over the Golden State’s issuance of licenses to drivers in the country illegally. U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy stated, “After weeks of claiming they did nothing wrong, Gavin Newsom and California have been caught red-handed. Now that we’ve exposed their lies, 17,000 illegally issued trucking licenses are being revoked.” He added that this is “just the tip of the iceberg” and vowed to ensure California removes all unauthorized drivers from operating commercial vehicles.

Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom‘s office initially declined to specify the reason for the revocations but later cited a state law requiring licenses to expire no later than the end of a person’s legal U.S. residency. Newsom’s spokesman, Brandon Richards, pushed back against the Trump administration, accusing Sec. Duffy of spreading “easily disproven falsehoods” in a “desperate attempt to please his dear leader.”

The CDL issue gained national attention after a fatal crash in Florida involving a tractor-trailer driver in the U.S. illegally. Similar incidents in Texas, Alabama, and California have heightened scrutiny of licensing practices. Duffy has already revoked $40 million in federal funding from California and warned of an additional $160 million penalty if the state fails to comply with federal standards.

Under new federal rules announced in September, only specific visa holders will qualify for commercial licenses, and states must verify immigration status through federal databases. These rules, however, were not in place when the 17,000 licenses were issued. California has notified affected drivers that their licenses will expire in 60 days.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
November 13, 2025
Crime
Immigration
UK

Migrant Men Face Charges in Fresh Rape Gang Scandal.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Seven men were charged with over 40 offences, including sexual exploitation and drug-related crimes, against 11 teenage victims in Bristol.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Alleged predators Mohamed Arafe, Sina Omari, Wadie Sharaf, Hussain Bashar, Mohammed Kurdi, and a 19-year-old man and a 26-year-old man, unnamed in most sources but identified as Sardam Ahmed and Ihab Al-Eisawi by journalist Charlie Peters.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The offences occurred between 2022 and 2025 in Bristol. The suspects were re-arrested on November 11 and will appear in Bristol Magistrates’ Court.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “This remains a complex and sensitive investigation which has the protection of young girls from exploitation and the disruption of offending at its very heart,” said Detective Chief Inspector Tom Herbert.

🎯IMPACT: The arrests highlight Britain’s ongoing issues with grooming gangs, not only with South Asian heritage Muslims but now recently arrived migrants from the Middle East.

IN FULL

Seven men in England have been charged with more than 40 offences, including rape, sexual exploitation, and drug-related crimes, involving 11 teenage victims in Bristol. The alleged crimes took place between 2022 and 2025. All suspects were re-arrested during a targeted police operation on November 11 and are due to appear before Bristol Magistrates’ Court.

Those charged include Mohamed Arafe, a Syrian Arab, Sina Omari, an Iranian Arab, Wadie Sharaf, a Syrian Arab, Hussain Bashar, a British citizen whose ethnicity is not officially confirmed, and Mohammed Kurdi, a British citizen of Arab ethnicity. Two additional suspects, a 19-year-old man and a 26-year-old man, go unnamed in several reports, but journalist Charlie Peters has identified them as Sardam Ahmed, from Iraq, and Ihab Al-Eisawi, from Egypt. Peters reports that Ahmed and Al-Eisawi arrived in Britain illegally on small boats, while Arafe was imported by the government in 2019 under a Syrian refugee resettlement scheme.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Herbert, who is leading the investigation, said: “This remains a complex and sensitive investigation which has the protection of young girls from exploitation and the disruption of offending at its very heart. Working with our partners, we’ve ensured the most appropriate safeguarding measures and support has been made available to each victim to protect them from harm.”

Bristol Superintendent Deepak Kenth added: “We know this update will be a huge shock to our communities and I want to reassure everyone that we’ll continue to work tirelessly to protect children from abuse and exploitation.”

According to police, Arafe faces five counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, as well as drug supply charges. Omari has been charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual exploitation. Sharaf, Bashar, and Kurdi face similar allegations, with specific details outlined by investigators.

The case comes amid renewed national scrutiny of group-based child sexual exploitation in the United Kingdom, following a series of high-profile reviews and reopened investigations forced by pressure from figures including Reform Party leader Nigel Farage and X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk.

Earlier this year, a government-commissioned audit found that police forces had failed to identify a disproportionate number of South Asian and Pakistani-heritage Muslim men suspected of involvement in grooming gangs that targeted white girls. Notably, the audit found that ethnicity data had been omitted in the majority of relevant cases, obfuscating the scale of the predation.

The British Home Office, roughly equivalent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has directed police across England and Wales to begin recording ethnicity and nationality data in all child sexual abuse investigations—although similar instructions have been ignored before.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) is currently overseeing a review of thousands of historic grooming gang files across the country, after internal audits revealed that some cases may have been prematurely closed. However, survivors have criticized the government’s handling of a planned national inquiry into grooming gangs, with several members of a victims’ liaison panel resigning and calling for the resignation of the government’s safeguarding minister.

Image by Metro Centric.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
November 12, 2025
Immigration

U.S. Will Restrict Visas for Fat Foreigners Under New Health Guidelines.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. State Department issued guidance recommending that fat people be denied immigrant visas.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. State Department, foreign nationals, and the Trump administration.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Recent guidance issued by the State Department in the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Trump Administration is putting the interests of the American people first.” – State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott

🎯IMPACT: Stricter visa policies aim to reduce the strain on the US healthcare system and prioritize national security.

IN FULL

New guidance issued by the U.S. Department of State recommends the denial of immigrant visas for foreign nationals who are obese or overweight. According to the guidance, obesity—along with other medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental-health issues—adds strain to the country’s healthcare system, causing taxpayers to incur additional costs.

Notably, the health conditions listed by the State Department often result in skyrocketing healthcare expenses, sometimes upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and prolonged hospital stays. “The Trump Administration is putting the interests of the American people first. This includes enforcing policies that ensure our immigration system is not a burden on the American taxpayer,” Tommy Pigott, a State Department spokesman, said.

The guidance is part of a broader effort to tighten visa policies. For instance, the cost of H-1B visas, intended for high-skilled workers, has risen to $100,000 annually. Previously, these visas came with administrative fees totaling approximately $2,000 to $4,000. While supporters like Elon Musk have endorsed the increase, critics complain that the policy harms corporate revenue and shareholder returns.

The State Department has also maintained travel restrictions on nationals from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen, among others. A senior State Department official noted, “The Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.”

Image by Towfiqu barbhuiya.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
ken paxton acquitted
November 12, 2025
Election Integrity
Immigration

Texas AG Paxton Files Lawsuit Against Nonprofit for Illegally Registering Immigrants to Vote.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) filed a lawsuit against JOLT Initiative, Inc., alleging unlawful voter registration practices involving illegal immigrants.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, JOLT Initiative, Inc., and its Executive Director Jackie Bastard.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was announced on Monday in Texas.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The left constantly tries to cheat and rig elections because they know they can’t win honestly. Any organization attempting to register illegals, who are all criminals, must be completely crushed and shut down immediately.” – Ken Paxton

🎯IMPACT: Paxton seeks to dissolve JOLT’s charter, revoke its corporate privileges, and have the group cover legal costs, while JOLT is vowing to fight the case.

IN FULL

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has announced his office is suing JOLT Initiative, Inc., a nonprofit organization accused of orchestrating illegal voter registration efforts. The lawsuit alleges that JOLT engaged in activities designed to undermine election integrity in Texas by registering illegal immigrants to vote.

According to the attorney general’s office, JOLT operatives stationed outside Texas Department of Motor Vehicles locations provided instructions that violated state election laws. The group’s volunteer deputy registrars allegedly solicited people to submit unlawful voter registration applications, potentially enabling illegal immigrants without proper identification to register.

“The left constantly tries to cheat and rig elections because they know they can’t win honestly. Any organization attempting to register illegals, who are all criminals, must be completely crushed and shut down immediately,” Paxton said in a statement, adding: “JOLT is a radical, partisan operation that has, and continues to, knowingly attempt to corrupt our voter rolls and weaken the voice of lawful Texas voters. I will make sure they face the full force of the law.”

Paxton’s lawsuit seeks to have JOLT forfeit its corporate privileges, dissolve its charter, and pay the state’s legal fees. In response, JOLT described the lawsuit as “unconstitutional” and vowed to fight back. Executive Director Jackie Bastard stated, “The Attorney General is abusing his authority by using the state’s legal tool of dissolution, an extreme measure, against JOLT simply because we are effective at registering Latino voters.”

JOLT has filed a motion requesting the court to either dismiss the case or transfer it to Houston, where the organization has offices.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
November 12, 2025
Immigration
Lawfare

Biden Judge Orders Release of 615 Migrants Caught in Chicago’s ‘Midway Blitz.’

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge ordered the release of hundreds of illegal immigrants detained in the Chicago area, citing alleged violations of a 2022 settlement agreement restricting warrantless arrests.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Cummings, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), and detainees.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Illinois, with the ruling issued on Wednesday. Detentions occurred during Operation Midway Blitz between June and October.

💬KEY QUOTE: “All of this, all of the tactics of [senior Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino], all of the tactics of ICE have been unlawful in the vast, vast majority of arrests,” said NIJC attorney Mark Fleming.

🎯IMPACT: ICE must grant bond to those still detained by November 21.

IN FULL

U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Cummings, appointed by former President Joe Biden, is ordering the release of 615 illegal immigrants detained in the Chicago area as part of the Trump administration’s “Midway Blitz” enforcement action. In the order, Judge Cummings claims the detentions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) violate a 2022 settlement agreement that restricts warrantless arrests in Chicago.

Court filings reveal that between June and October, the ICE-led operation resulted in the arrests of over 3,000 migrants, with 615 still in federal custody—the other detainees having already been deported or agreed to leave the country of their own accord. Judge Cummings’s ruling requires those still detained to be granted bond by November 21.

Mark Fleming, an attorney with the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), stated, “All of this, all of the tactics of [senior Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino], all of the tactics of ICE have been unlawful in the vast, vast majority of arrests.” Fleming estimates that approximately 1,100 detainees have already departed voluntarily.

Far-left civil rights nonprofits claim ICE tactics are akin to racial profiling and have accused the agency of making unlawful arrests. One of the primary issues has been the practice of ICE arresting illegal immigrants at or near courthouses while on site to take other individuals into custody.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has until next week to comply with the court order and determine which detainees qualify for immediate release.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
November 12, 2025
Crime
Immigration

DHS Alleges Democrat Senator’s Aide Impersonated Lawyer to Free Illegal Immigrant.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A staffer for Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) allegedly posed as an attorney to attempt to release an illegal immigrant from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Edward York, a staffer for Sen. Duckworth, and Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval, a 40-year-old illegal immigrant with a criminal record.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: October 29, at an ICE facility in East St. Louis, Illinois, with a letter sent to Sen. Duckworth by ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “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.” – ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons

🎯IMPACT: DHS is demanding answers from Sen. Duckworth’s office regarding York’s actions and whether other staff members were aware of his conduct.

IN FULL

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is accusing a staffer for Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) of misrepresenting himself as an attorney in an attempt to secure the release of an illegal immigrant from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. According to a letter to Sen. Duckworth issued by ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, the staffer, Edward York, entered an ICE facility in East St. Louis, Illinois, on October 29 and claimed to be the attorney for Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval, a 40-year-old illegal immigrant who has been deported four times and has a DUI conviction.

Lyons states York demanded to speak with his “client” and facilitated the signing of a G-28 form, which allows a lawyer to represent a client on immigration matters. “Four days later, a Suarez Law Office in Collinsville, Illinois filed a G-28 electronically that did not have Mr. Ayuzo’s signature, even though Mr. York, who claimed to work for the law firm, had already obtained a signed form. It appears as if Mr. York may have collaborated with the firm to cover his misrepresentation,” the ICE Acting Director alleges. Notably, ICE says it could not verify that York was a lawyer.

The letter also states that ICE discovered a Facebook post from the Montgomery County Illinois Democrats, which described a staffer visiting an ICE field office with documents and a release order, allegedly misrepresenting himself to law enforcement. Lyons has requested that Duckworth’s office respond by November 17, providing answers about York’s employment, whether he knowingly falsified government documents, and if other staff members were aware of his actions.

“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 added. He urged Duckworth to advocate for constituents affected by illegal immigrant crime and to work with DHS to address these issues.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more