A former senior officer with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been arrested and charged by federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Texas, accused of orchestrating a scheme to sell immigration benefits for cash. Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, who served as a senior immigration services officer, was taken into custody on September 2, alongside alleged co-conspirator Adeniyi Akeem Somoye. Both men face charges of conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities by a public official, a federal offense that carries significant penalties.
"Selling immigration benefits for cash is a blatant abuse of public trust." US Attorney Ryan Raybould
According to the indictment, the alleged scheme spanned a period from December 2019 to March 2026. Prosecutors assert that Ganiyu exploited his federal position to approve or accelerate various immigration applications. These included applications for permanent residency, family sponsorship, removal of residency conditions, and U.S. citizenship, all allegedly in exchange for financial payments. The Department of Justice claims that Ganiyu systematically bypassed critical USCIS safeguards, such as required interviews, background checks, supervisory reviews, and jurisdictional restrictions. Authorities further allege that some individuals who received benefits through this arrangement were not legally eligible for them, raising concerns about the integrity of the immigration process.
US Attorney Ryan Raybould condemned the alleged actions following the arrests. "Selling immigration benefits for cash is a blatant abuse of public trust," Raybould stated. "When a federal official puts a price tag on lawful status, we will intervene immediately." This strong condemnation underscores the severity with which federal authorities view corruption within immigration services, especially given the national security implications often associated with the vetting process.
The investigation, initiated in May 2025 after the USCIS Office of Investigations received an allegation against Ganiyu, uncovered substantial evidence. Investigators reportedly found extensive WhatsApp communications involving Ganiyu, Somoye, and numerous immigration applicants whose cases were allegedly handled outside normal agency procedures. Financial analysis of Ganiyu’s accounts revealed approximately $287,830 in unexplained cash deposits. Additionally, authorities identified roughly $671,438 in payments made through digital platforms such as Zelle and Cash App, with prosecutors alleging a direct connection between some of these transactions and the manipulated immigration cases.
Between 2020 and 2025, Ganiyu earned approximately $407,838 in federal salary and reported no other employment during his tenure at USCIS. This financial disparity between his reported income and the alleged deposits forms a key part of the prosecution's case. A review of Ganiyu's government email account also allegedly revealed personal financial records, including bank statements detailing payments from Somoye.
Ganiyu joined USCIS in November 2018, serving in various locations including Kansas, Texas, and North Carolina, before becoming a senior immigration services officer in Dallas in April 2024. A specific instance cited by investigators involves Somoye's naturalization application. Authorities allege that in December 2022, Ganiyu assigned himself to Somoye’s application and approved it on the same day. Subsequently, Ganiyu is said to have received approximately $138,392 from Somoye through bank transfers between May 2023 and January 2026, along with an additional $21,900 from a company managed by Somoye. Ganiyu officially resigned from USCIS on March 21, citing "personal reasons" in his court filing.
The USCIS, in response to the arrests, issued a statement condemning the alleged misconduct. The agency affirmed that there is "no place in this agency for corruption, abuse of authority, or violations of public trust." FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock emphasized the national security implications of such accusations, stating that the alleged manipulation of immigration decisions for personal gain undermines the entire system’s integrity.
Ganiyu's attorney, Alfonso Cabanas, has stated that his client denies any criminal wrongdoing. Cabanas reportedly disputes the government’s characterization of the financial transactions and the immigration applications cited by investigators. Despite prosecutors’ attempts to keep Ganiyu in custody pending trial due to concerns about flight risk, citing his dual U.S.-Nigerian citizenship, foreign financial accounts, international travel, and property ownership in Nigeria, a federal magistrate judge ordered his release. This release was granted under strict conditions, including GPS monitoring, travel restrictions, and the surrender of both his U.S. and Nigerian passports.
Both Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye face potential sentences of up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the USCIS Office of Investigations, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, and the FBI’s Dallas Field Office. It is crucial to note that the charges remain allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
