A former high-ranking official of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and an alleged accomplice have been detained, accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for approving green cards, citizenship applications, and other immigration benefits over a period exceeding six years.
The individuals taken into custody are Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, a former senior immigration services officer at USCIS, and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye, identified as his associate, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Both were arrested on September 2 and are facing a federal charge of conspiracy to accept illegal gratuities for official acts. The criminal complaint was filed on August 31 in the Northern District of Texas.
Immigration System Manipulation
Investigators have revealed that the scheme was operational from December 2019 to March 2026, allowing Ganiyu to misuse his position within USCIS to approve immigration applications in return for financial gain.
The applications allegedly approved included requests for permanent residency, petitions for foreign family members, naturalizations, and applications to remove residency conditions.
Bypassing Standard Procedures
According to the complaint, Ganiyu leveraged his access and authority to bypass established controls in the case processing system. Investigators claim he avoided mandatory interviews, supervisor reviews, and background checks to expedite approvals.
Some applicants who benefited reportedly did not meet the federal requirements, as stated by authorities.
The Department of Justice contends that Ganiyu and Somoye collectively received substantial sums directly linked to migration decisions made by the former official.
Extensive Communication Uncovered
The investigation also uncovered extensive communication between the accused and individuals connected to the applications. Authorities claim to have identified thousands of WhatsApp messages and hundreds of calls during the investigation period.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, described the allegations as a severe misuse of public duty. "Selling immigration benefits for money is a blatant abuse of public trust," he stated. "When a federal official puts a price on legal status, we will intervene immediately."
R. Joseph Rothrock, the FBI special agent in charge in Dallas, emphasized that the alleged manipulation of immigration decisions for personal gain compromises the integrity of a process central to national security.
Collaborative Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The investigation was a joint effort by the USCIS Office of Investigations, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General, and the FBI in Dallas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham from the Fraud Section is overseeing the prosecution.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the number of immigration benefits allegedly approved through the scheme or the fate of the applications from individuals purportedly involved in financial transactions for approvals.
If found guilty, Ganiyu and Somoye could face up to five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 each. The allegations in the complaint are accusations, and both individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
This case highlights vulnerabilities within the U.S. immigration system. For ongoing updates and related developments, visit our U.S. Immigration section.
Understanding the USCIS Bribery Scandal
What were the charges against the former USCIS official?
The former USCIS official, Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, was charged with conspiracy to accept illegal gratuities for official acts, involving the approval of immigration benefits in exchange for money.
How long did the alleged scheme operate?
The scheme reportedly operated from December 2019 to March 2026, during which the accused allegedly accepted bribes for approving immigration applications.
What consequences could the accused face if convicted?
If convicted, the accused could face up to five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 each.
Who conducted the investigation?
The investigation was conducted by the USCIS Office of Investigations, the DHS Office of Inspector General, and the FBI in Dallas.