A federal immigration officer has been arrested and charged for allegedly accepting bribes to influence official immigration decisions over the course of nearly a decade, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Amara Dukuly, a 43-year-old resident of Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, was taken into custody and charged with bribery of a public official.
Dukuly, employed as an immigration officer at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is accused of using his position to solicit payments from individuals seeking legal immigration benefits.
According to the criminal complaint unsealed Thursday, Dukuly accepted money from individuals in exchange for promises to help adjust their immigration status, including securing green cards, work authorization and visas.
Authorities emphasized that Dukuly did not have the authority to carry out these actions.
“Dukuly did not have the authority to do any of the things he promised these individuals,” the DOJ said in its press release.
“After corruptly seeking, receiving, and accepting money in return for being influenced in the performance of an official act, Dukuly converted the monies he obtained from these bribes for his personal benefit.”
Federal investigators allege that the scheme began as early as 2015 and continued until this year.
The case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anita Eve is leading the prosecution.
USCIS is the agency responsible for processing immigration and naturalization applications and establishing immigration service policies, according to the Washington Examiner.
His LinkedIn profile indicates that Dukuly has been employed by the agency for over 10 years and previously served in the U.S. Army.
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf, who announced the charges, did not specify how many individuals were involved or the total amount of money exchanged.
Authorities confirmed the investigation remains open and urged the public to contact HSI in Philadelphia with related tips.
The criminal complaint notes that Dukuly “corruptly sought, received, and accepted money” and used those funds for his own benefit.
If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison, along with fines and other penalties.
This case follows a string of similar corruption investigations targeting USCIS and other immigration employees.
In recent years, multiple officers have been convicted for accepting bribes in return for expediting or falsifying immigration documentation.
One example involved a USCIS officer in California who received a prison sentence after taking more than $50,000 in bribes.
Corruption within federal immigration services can affect public trust and the integrity of immigration systems, according to experts.
Authorities stress the importance of internal oversight and enforcement to maintain fairness and accountability.
Federal officials stressed that the charges are allegations only and Dukuly is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The DOJ noted that established protocols are in place to safeguard against unauthorized conduct.
This high-profile arrest comes amid a broader push by federal agencies to combat insider corruption and prevent illegal exploitation of benefits programs.
The USCIS has implemented enhanced training and audit procedures in recent years to detect irregularities.
Legal analysts suggest that charging long-term corruption within USCIS demonstrates a willingness by the DOJ to hold civil servants accountable.
Observers say the case could serve as a deterrent to others in positions of authority.
