Ex-USCIS officer arrested in Texas over alleged cash-for-immigration scheme

A former senior US immigration officer and an alleged associate have been arrested in Texas in a case centered on claims that immigration benefits were sold for cash.

Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, a former officer with US Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye were arrested on September 2. A federal complaint filed in the Northern District of Texas charges both men with conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities by a public official.

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Selling immigration benefits for cash is a blatant abuse of public trust.

Federal prosecutors allege that Ganiyu used his position to manipulate immigration applications, while Somoye acted as his associate. The alleged payments secured favorable treatment for applicants, including unlawful approvals and faster processing. The Justice Department described the conduct as a multi-year scheme.

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Puts a price tag on lawful status

The investigation involved the USCIS Office of Investigations, the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General and the FBI's Dallas Field Office. US Attorney Ryan Raybould called the alleged sale of immigration benefits “a blatant abuse of public trust.” He said authorities would intervene when a federal official “puts a price tag on lawful status.”

FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said the alleged manipulation for personal gain undermined a process essential to national security. Prosecutors have not said how many applications were allegedly manipulated, how much money the defendants allegedly received or how many immigrants may have benefited. Those details could emerge as the criminal case proceeds.

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The alleged manipulation of immigration decisions for personal gain undermines the integrity of a process essential to our national security.