A former US immigration official is facing federal charges after investigators uncovered an alleged scheme in which immigration applications were fast-tracked in exchange for large cash payments.
The case centres on Lukman Ganiyu, a former senior immigration services officer with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), who prosecutors allege abused his official position to manipulate the processing of immigration applications.
According to a criminal complaint filed on August 31, Ganiyu allegedly worked with an associate, Adeniyi Somoye, to collect hundreds of thousands of dollars from applicants seeking immigration benefits.
Investigators said the alleged arrangement allowed applicants to obtain approvals through processes that would ordinarily require interviews, supervisory reviews, background checks and other mandatory procedures.
The applications allegedly involved several major immigration benefits, including petitions for relatives, permanent residency, removal of conditions on residence and naturalisation.
Prosecutors further alleged that some of the applicants were not legally eligible for the benefits they received, raising concerns about the extent to which the alleged scheme may have compromised the integrity of the immigration system.
Authorities said the alleged operation lasted for more than six years, from December 2019 until March 2026. Investigators also uncovered thousands of WhatsApp messages and hundreds of phone calls involving Ganiyu, Somoye and immigration applicants.
US Attorney Ryan Raybould described the alleged conduct as a serious abuse of public trust, warning that federal officials who attempt to sell immigration benefits for money would face prosecution.
The investigation involves USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Ganiyu and Somoye were arrested on Wednesday and face federal charges that could result in up to five years in prison and a fine of as much as $250,000 if convicted.
