The criminal complaint, filed in the Northern District of Texas, alleges that the scheme began in December 2019 and continued until March 2026.
Investigators claim Ganiyu used his authority inside USCIS to influence or approve applications for permanent residency, family-based immigration benefits, removal of conditions on residency and naturalization.
What makes the allegations particularly serious is prosecutors’ claim that Ganiyu did more than simply accelerate applications. Authorities say he allegedly circumvented safeguards designed to ensure that immigration decisions are properly reviewed.
Those safeguards allegedly included mandatory interviews, background investigations, supervisory approval, jurisdictional requirements and other procedures normally required before immigration benefits are granted.
Federal investigators further allege that some individuals who received favorable decisions through the purported operation were not legally qualified for the benefits they obtained.
“Selling immigration benefits for cash is a blatant abuse of public trust,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said in a press release. “When a federal official puts a price tag on lawful status, we will intervene immediately. Public corruption will never be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas.”
The financial evidence cited by investigators is also substantial.
Authorities allege Ganiyu and Somoye maintained extensive communications through WhatsApp while money was allegedly being collected from people seeking immigration benefits.
An affidavit reportedly identified approximately $287,830 in unexplained cash deposits into accounts associated with Ganiyu. Investigators also identified roughly $671,438 in payments made through services including Zelle and Cash App.
According to authorities, at least some of those transactions involved individuals whose immigration cases had been handled by Ganiyu.
The government filing also examined Ganiyu’s official income. Investigators say he received approximately $407,838 in federal salary from 2020 through 2025 and did not report another job during his USCIS employment.
The investigation reportedly began in May 2025 after the USCIS Office of Investigations received an allegation that Ganiyu was selecting specific immigration cases and processing them outside established agency procedures.
A subsequent examination of his government email account allegedly uncovered financial information, including bank records that investigators say showed payments originating from Somoye.
Ganiyu joined USCIS in November 2018. During his federal career, he worked in Kansas, Texas and North Carolina before receiving a promotion to senior immigration services officer in Dallas in April 2024.
One case highlighted by investigators involves Somoye’s own naturalization application.
Authorities allege that Ganiyu assigned the application to himself and approved it on the same day in December 2022.
Investigators further claim that Ganiyu later received approximately $138,392 from Somoye through bank transfers between May 2023 and January 2026. Authorities also allege that another $21,900 came from a company controlled by Somoye.
Ganiyu ultimately left USCIS on March 21, 2026. The filing states that he cited “personal reasons” for his departure.
The allegations prompted a strong response from USCIS, which emphasized that misconduct by an individual employee does not represent the agency as a whole.
“There is no place in this agency for corruption, abuse of authority, or violations of public trust,” USCIS wrote in a post on X.
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock also stressed the broader implications of the case, particularly because immigration decisions can have consequences extending well beyond individual applications.
“The alleged manipulation of immigration decisions for personal gain undermines the integrity of a process essential to our national security.”
Ganiyu’s attorney, Alfonso Cabanas, pushed back against the government’s allegations and said his client rejects the accusations.
Cabanas said his client “denies any criminal conduct” and disputes the government’s characterization of the financial transactions as well as the immigration cases identified by investigators.
Prosecutors initially argued that Ganiyu should remain behind bars while awaiting trial. They pointed to his dual U.S.-Nigerian citizenship, foreign bank accounts, international travel and property in Nigeria as potential evidence that he could flee the country.
A federal magistrate judge ultimately ordered Ganiyu released under strict conditions.
Those conditions include restrictions on international travel, GPS monitoring and the surrender of both his U.S. and Nigerian passports.
His attorney said Ganiyu plans to follow the court’s requirements and fight the allegations through the legal system.
Both Ganiyu and Somoye face charges of conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities by a public official. If convicted, each could receive a federal prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of as much as $250,000.
The investigation involved multiple federal agencies, including the USCIS Office of Investigations, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the FBI’s Dallas Field Office.
The case underscores the potential consequences when federal officials are accused of abusing positions that carry enormous authority over people’s legal status in the United States.
For prosecutors, the alleged conduct represents a direct attack on the integrity of the nation’s immigration system. For the defendants, however, the case remains one of allegations that must be tested in federal court.
Ganiyu and Somoye are presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove the charges against them beyond a reasonable doubt.
