The Department of Justice (DOJ) has intensified its efforts to combat immigration fraud, recently charging 11 individuals involved in orchestrating over 1,000 fraudulent marriages designed to exploit the visa system. Additionally, Texas authorities are taking action against birth tourism centers, which help children of Chinese nationals gain immediate American citizenship.
In another case, a former senior official from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and his accomplice were arrested for allegedly taking nearly $960,000 in bribes. These bribes were exchanged for special treatment in processing immigration benefit applications, including citizenship requests.
Details of the Alleged Bribery Scheme
The former USCIS official, Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, and his associate, Adeniyi Akeem Somoye, are accused of participating in a multi-year scheme to accept illegal payments from applicants seeking immigration benefits. Prosecutors claim this illegal activity involved extensive use of WhatsApp, with thousands of messages and hundreds of calls exchanged between Ganiyu, Somoye, and the applicants.
Between December 2019 and March 2026, investigators assert that Ganiyu bypassed standard immigration procedures by expediting cases involving applicants who paid bribes. This included skipping necessary steps like criminal background checks and interviews. He also allegedly approved applications for Somoye’s wife and child by rerouting them through different USCIS field offices.
Financial Transactions and Court Proceedings
Records reportedly show Ganiyu received approximately $671,438 via Zelle and Cash App from applicants, in addition to $287,830 in cash deposits, which prosecutors allege were to mask the origins of the money. Somoye, acting as the financial intermediary, processed around $1.7 million in transactions related to these applications.
The duo allegedly moved funds back and forth between themselves and applicants, mainly involving individuals from African countries. If convicted, each faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
“Selling immigration benefits for cash is a blatant abuse of public trust,” stated U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will not hesitate to intervene when a federal official puts a price tag on lawful status.”
Ganiyu resigned from his position at USCIS in March, citing personal reasons, months before the arrests took place.