A former senior immigration official and his accomplice face federal charges for allegedly accepting nearly $960,000 in bribes to fast-track citizenship applications while bypassing critical security checks, according to the Department of Justice.

The Bribery Operation

Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, a former U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services senior official, and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye were arrested Wednesday on conspiracy charges. Between December 2019 and March 2026, the pair allegedly manipulated the immigration system by skipping criminal background checks, interviews, and standard USCIS processing protocols for applicants willing to pay bribes. Prosecutors say Ganiyu altered the USCIS computer system to expedite applications in exchange for cash payments.

USCIS officers identified a Connecticut state government employee who used a fake Green Card and falsely claimed to be a lawful permanent resident to get a job.

Form I-9 fraud can undermine the hiring process and reduce fair access to jobs for eligible workers. By detecting and… pic.twitter.com/AWTqQRc7WI

— USCIS (@USCIS) September 7, 2026

Investigators uncovered extensive WhatsApp communications between Ganiyu, Somoye, and numerous applicants, including thousands of messages and hundreds of phone calls. The evidence revealed how Ganiyu allegedly rerouted applications from field offices in Minneapolis, Charlotte, and Houston, bypassing local supervisors to approve cases himself. Court documents show Ganiyu even fast-tracked citizenship for Somoye before approving residency applications for Somoye’s wife and child.

Following The Money

Ganiyu received approximately $671,438 from citizenship applicants through digital payment platforms Zelle and Cash App. Prosecutors allege he accepted an additional $287,830 in cash deposits designed to conceal the money’s origin. Somoye, acting as the financial intermediary, processed roughly $1.7 million in transfers involving applicants through various bank accounts and payment apps, keeping portions for himself. He also deposited $449,010 in cash, according to court filings.

Most citizenship applications the duo handled involved applicants from African countries. The complaint alleges Ganiyu and Somoye frequently exchanged money back and forth with applicants seeking immigration benefits. Ganiyu resigned from USCIS in March, citing personal reasons, several months before authorities arrested him.

Legal Consequences

U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould addressed the severity of the alleged crimes in a statement. When a federal official puts a price tag on lawful status, we will intervene immediately, Raybould said, calling the scheme a blatant abuse of public trust. Each defendant faces up to five years in federal prison and fines reaching $250,000. The arrests come as federal authorities intensify scrutiny of immigration fraud nationwide, with the Justice Department recently charging 11 individuals for organizing over 1,000 sham marriages to abuse the visa system.