Judge delays sentencing for convicted Ohio immigration lawyer in deportation compromise

Ohio lawyer’s green card fraud sentencing delayed

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The sentencing of an immigration lawyer who illegally married to gain permanent U.S. residence has been delayed while details of her deportation are worked out.

U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Frost was about to sentence Lillian Asante (uh-SAN’-tay) to probation Thursday when he learned immigration officials planned to take her into custody immediately.

The 38-year-old Asante is not fighting her return to her home country of Ghana but wants to avoid a long detention before leaving.

Asante’s attorney, Ritchey Hollenbaugh, says a deal worked out by Frost and immigration officials will allow Asante to stay home with electronic monitoring until she leaves.

Asante and her ex-husband each pleaded guilty in September to unlawfully entering into marriages to evade U.S. immigration laws.