From Dallas Express · Dallas Express · · 1m 10s
Ex-Immigration Officer Indicted for Cash-for-Approvals Scheme
Former USCIS officer Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu faces federal charges after allegedly selling green cards and citizenship approvals for cash, skipping background checks.
In brief
Former USCIS officer Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu faces federal charges after allegedly selling green cards and citizenship approvals for cash, skipping background checks. A former USCIS officer admitted to bypassing background checks to approve immigration benefits for cash payments. Originally reported by Dallas Express.
Indictment Details
A federal grand jury in North Texas charged Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, a former USCIS officer, and his associate with conspiracy to receive illegal payments for immigration approvals.
“Selling immigration benefits for cash is a blatant abuse of public trust.”
Alleged Scheme Timeline
The scheme ran from December 2019 through March 2026, involving hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and digital payments.
Bypassed Safeguards
Ganiyu skipped required interviews, supervisory reviews, and jurisdictional limits to accelerate approvals, prosecutors said.
Financial Transactions
Investigators found $287,830 in unexplained cash deposits and $671,438 in direct payments through Zelle and Cash App.
Communication Records
Thousands of WhatsApp messages and hundreds of calls were identified between the defendants and applicants.
Legal Consequences
Both men face up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
Defense Position
Ganiyu denies any criminal conduct and disputes the government's description of the transactions and applications.
The big picture
A former USCIS officer admitted to bypassing background checks to approve immigration benefits for cash payments.
