Bribery Scheme Involving USCIS Official and Accomplice Uncovered

A former senior U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official and his accomplice are facing serious charges for an alleged bribery scheme that involved accepting nearly $960,000 in exchange for favors in the processing of immigration benefit applications, including citizenship cases. The accused, Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye, were arrested on federal charges for their roles in this multi-year scheme to receive illegal gratuities in exchange for manipulating and expediting immigration applications, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas.

Between December 2019 and March 2026, Ganiyu and Somoye allegedly bypassed standard procedures, pushing applicants who paid bribes directly to Ganiyu, thus skipping critical steps in the immigration process such as criminal background checks and interviews. Prosecutors allege that Ganiyu even altered the USCIS system to fast-track applications in exchange for cash. Notably, he allegedly expedited citizenship for Somoye before approving residency applications for Somoye’s wife and child.

Investigators uncovered extensive communication between Ganiyu, Somoye, and numerous applicants through thousands of WhatsApp messages and hundreds of calls. This evidence indicates a well-coordinated effort to exploit the immigration system. Ganiyu reportedly rerouted applications from USCIS field offices in Minneapolis, Charlotte, and Houston, circumventing local supervisors to approve them himself.

The financial transactions involved in this scheme were substantial. Ganiyu is said to have received approximately $671,438 from citizenship applicants through digital payment platforms like Zelle and Cash App, alongside $287,830 in cash deposits meant to obscure the source of the funds. Somoye acted as the financial intermediary, processing around $1.7 million in transfers involving applicants and allegedly keeping a portion of the payments for himself. Court documents reveal that he deposited $449,010 in cash during this time.

Targeting Vulnerable Applicants for Profit

The complaint highlights that the majority of the citizenship applications they handled involved applicants from African countries. Each defendant now faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Ganiyu resigned from USCIS in March, citing personal reasons, just months before his arrest. U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould stated, "Selling immigration benefits for cash is a blatant abuse of public trust. When a federal official puts a price tag on lawful status, we will intervene immediately."

The Unraveling

The charges against Ganiyu and Somoye underscore a troubling narrative regarding corruption within the immigration system, raising questions about the integrity of processes designed to ensure lawful immigration. As authorities continue to investigate, the case may reveal the extent of such corruption and its impact on legitimate applicants seeking citizenship. The ramifications of this scheme could lead to a broader examination of USCIS practices and the safeguards in place to prevent similar abuses in the future.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case against Ganiyu and Somoye serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the immigration system. The allegations of bribery not only highlight individual misconduct but also point to systemic issues that could allow such schemes to thrive. The outcome of this case may have lasting effects on public trust in immigration authorities and the processes that govern citizenship applications.