At Campos Law Firm, we closely monitor developments in U.S. immigration policy to protect our clients’ rights and future. On September 25, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas announced that a federal grand jury had indicted Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, a former senior officer with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and his associate, Adeniyi Akeem Somoye.
According to the Justice Department, the two allegedly took money to approve and expedite immigration applications. An indictment is not a conviction, and both are presumed innocent. Here is what is alleged and why the case matters if you have an application pending.
What does the indictment say?
The indictment was returned on September 23, after both men were arrested on September 2. According to prosecutors, from December 2019 through March 2026, Ganiyu used his position to approve applications in exchange for money, bypassing required interviews, supervisory reviews, background checks, and other USCIS protocols.
The forms involved are among the most common for immigrant families:
- I-130: petition for a relative.
- I-485: adjustment of status to permanent residence (a green card).
- I-751: removal of conditions on residence.
- N-400: application for naturalization.
Somoye allegedly helped collect payments from applicants, and prosecutors cite thousands of WhatsApp messages between the two men and their clients. The charge is conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities as a public official, which carries up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
How much money, and who investigated?
The Justice Department describes “hundreds of thousands of dollars.” According to Fox News and Newsweek, the original complaint details roughly $960,000: about $287,830 in cash deposits and $671,438 through payment apps. According to those reports, Ganiyu worked in USCIS offices in several states, was promoted in Dallas in 2024, and resigned in March 2026.
The case was investigated by the USCIS Office of Investigations, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General, and the FBI’s Dallas Field Office. “Selling immigration benefits for cash is a blatant abuse of public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. According to Newsweek, Ganiyu’s attorney said his client denies any criminal conduct.
What happens to someone who paid for a shortcut?
This is the real question, and the answer requires care. An immigration benefit obtained through fraud can be revisited later. In certain cases, the law allows the government to reopen a decision, rescind an adjustment of status, or seek to revoke citizenship that was illegally procured or obtained through misrepresentation.
Fraud or false statements to immigration authorities can also create a ground of inadmissibility with long-term effects. That is why paying someone who promises to “skip” steps is not a shortcut. It is a risk that can surface years later, at a renewal, a trip abroad, or a naturalization application.
Every case depends on what the person knew and what they signed. If you ever paid an intermediary who promised a guaranteed result, talk to an attorney before filing anything else.
How can you protect yourself from middlemen and false promises?
- No one can sell you an approval: USCIS decides based on the law and the evidence. Anyone promising a sure result or “inside contacts” is a red flag.
- Asking USCIS to expedite your case is free: an expedite request costs nothing. Only certain forms offer premium processing, with an official fee paid directly to USCIS.
- Pay only USCIS, through official channels: never send filing fees by Zelle, Cash App, or cash to an individual.
- Check who is helping you: only licensed attorneys or Justice Department-accredited representatives can represent you. A “notario” is not a lawyer in the United States.
- Keep everything in writing: receipts, contracts, and messages. If you suspect fraud, report it to USCIS or the Federal Trade Commission.
Protect Your Immigration Status with Campos Law Firm
Your case does not need shortcuts. It needs preparation. Our team reviews your filings, spots risks before they become problems, and tells you clearly what is possible and what is not. We do not make unrealistic promises. We provide serious legal representation backed by preparation and integrity.
Do not leave your immigration status to chance. Call us today at +1 (844) 922-6767 to schedule a free, confidential consultation in English or Spanish. Campos Law Firm: Legal Solutions in All Areas of Law.
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