‘Cass 23’ case wraps up in N.D.

FARGO (AP) — The last of 23 workers from India accused of being in the country illegally have been sentenced in North Dakota federal court, but not without objection from one of their lawyers.

The men all pleaded guilty to use of a counterfeit Social Security card and were sentenced to time already served. They were arrested in October after spending at least two months working on the construction of a Casselton ethanol plant.

James Hovey, an attorney for some of the defendants, said the charge should have been possession of a counterfeit Social Security card, not the use of one. He filed a motion asking U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson to make the change.

The so-called “Cass 23” are now facing deportation hearings in Minneapolis. Supporters of the group say the men are victims of a human trafficking scheme and say they should be allowed to stay in the United States.

Tags: india, fargo, illeagal, court, crime