FORMER SENIOR US IMMIGRATION OFFICER CHARGED OVER ALLEGED CASH FOR GREEN CARDS AND CITIZENSHIP SCHEME
A former senior United States immigration officer and an associate have been arrested over an alleged corruption scheme involving payments in exchange for improperly approving and expediting immigration applications.
Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, a former Senior Immigration Services Officer with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye were arrested by federal agents on September 2, 2026.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas announced the case on September 4.
A federal criminal complaint filed on August 31 charges both men with conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities by a public official.
ALLEGED SCHEME RAN FOR MORE THAN SIX YEARS
Federal investigators allege that the scheme operated from December 2019 through March 2026.
According to prosecutors, Ganiyu allegedly used his position inside USCIS to approve or expedite immigration applications in exchange for money.
The applications allegedly included petitions involving family immigration, permanent residency, removal of conditions on residency and applications for US citizenship.
Investigators allege Ganiyu bypassed required interviews, supervisory review, jurisdictional restrictions, background checks and other standard USCIS procedures.
Prosecutors further allege that many of the applicants involved were not eligible for the immigration benefits they received under federal law.
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ALLEGEDLY COLLECTED
The federal complaint alleges that Ganiyu and Somoye together collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from applicants.
Investigators say several payments corresponded directly with immigration approvals allegedly issued by Ganiyu.
Authorities also uncovered extensive WhatsApp communications involving the two defendants and numerous immigration applicants.
According to the Justice Department, investigators identified thousands of messages and hundreds of calls during the period covered by the complaint.
The allegations raise serious questions about the integrity of immigration applications allegedly processed through the scheme, particularly where mandatory interviews, background checks or supervisory procedures may have been bypassed.
FBI AND HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATED
The investigation was conducted by the USCIS Office of Investigations, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the FBI Dallas Field Office.
US Attorney Ryan Raybould described allegedly selling immigration benefits for money as an abuse of public trust.
Both defendants made their initial court appearances on September 2.
If convicted, each faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
However, the charges contained in a criminal complaint remain allegations.
Ganiyu and Somoye are presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
VNTV
