A Liberian-born U.S. immigration officer has been indicted in a sweeping federal bribery case, accused of exploiting his government post to solicit tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from vulnerable immigrants, many of them fellow West Africans, over a decade-long period.
Amara Dukuly, 43, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Liberia and resident of Parkside, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was formally charged Thursday with bribery of a public official, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia. Dukuly served as an officer within the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), specifically in its Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate.
Court documents unsealed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG) detail an alleged pattern of abuse and deception. Investigators say Dukuly, who is also a U.S. Army veteran with past service in Iraq, took advantage of immigrants desperate to legalize their status, promising help with their paperwork in exchange for cash, vehicles, and silence.
If convicted, Dukuly could face significant prison time. As of press time, he has not responded to media inquiries and no attorney has been listed in court filings.
Allegations of Fraud, Threats, and Extortion
According to a sworn affidavit by DHS-OIG Special Agent Clyde Parsons, Dukuly began soliciting bribes as far back as 2014.
In one early case from 2016, a woman reported paying Dukuly $3,760 of an agreed $6,000 to “pull” her husband’s immigration file. When no progress occurred, she received an official USCIS letter stating the case was under regular review. When she confronted Dukuly, he allegedly threatened to use his military and law enforcement connections to have her arrested if she pursued legal action. She ultimately dropped her civil complaint.
Other allegations include:
A woman paid $1,500 between 2014 and 2015 for expedited citizenship processing that never materialized. A West African man paid $1,500 hoping Dukuly could “fix” his immigration status. After filing forms, Dukuly allegedly kept $1,000 for his “services.” Two immigrants in 2018 were told during a compliance visit that their paperwork had issues. They were given a number, and the person on the other end demanded $4,000. Sensing a scam, they turned to an immigration attorney instead. A man reportedly gave Dukuly $5,000 and a 2014 Ford Fusion in exchange for help with his naturalization process. He was deported in 2021 after being arrested by ICE.
Undercover Sting at Walmart Breaks the Case
The most damning evidence came from an April 4, 2025, sting operation. At a Walmart parking lot in Eddystone, Pennsylvania, Dukuly met with a confidential informant posing as an immigrant marked with a “terrorist” designation on his record.
During the meeting, caught on video and audio, Dukuly reportedly demanded $6,000 upfront, promising to have the label removed by manipulating internal systems through unnamed government contacts.
“These people are going to work the system, manipulate, take ‘terrorist’ off,” Dukuly allegedly said on tape. “Make you regular.”
He also allegedly warned the informant not to tell anyone, “not even your lawyer.”
Authorities later confirmed that no authorized USCIS employee had accessed the informant’s file, strengthening the case that Dukuly was acting entirely outside his jurisdiction.
Debt, Financial Trouble, and Motive
Investigators revealed that Dukuly was under financial distress, owing over $32,000 in debt, with multiple credit cards in default and late mortgage payments as of early 2025.
While financial hardship may help explain his alleged motive, prosecutors emphasized that nothing excuses the betrayal of public trust.
“This was not a one-time lapse in judgment. It was a calculated scheme, driven by greed, that endangered the lives and dreams of vulnerable immigrants,” a DOJ spokesperson said.
Liberian Community Reacts
News of Dukuly’s indictment has sparked outrage and disbelief within the Liberian diaspora, particularly in the U.S., where many immigrants viewed Dukuly as a trusted insider and advocate within the immigration system.
“It’s a betrayal of the worst kind,” said a New Jersey-based Liberian-American immigration lawyer, speaking on condition of anonymity. “People trusted him because he came from our community, but he was preying on that trust.”
Broader Investigation Ongoing
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has urged any victims or witnesses with information to contact Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Philadelphia at 1-866-347-2423, using prompt 2.
The case has also raised questions about oversight within USCIS, especially within its fraud detection unit, and whether others may have been involved or turned a blind eye.
As the investigation unfolds, Dukuly’s arrest stands as a stark reminder of how power, when abused, can shatter lives, and how communities must remain vigilant, even against those who appear to be allies.
