The U.S. government has revoked the lawful permanent resident status of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, both relatives of deceased Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. The State Department announced on Saturday that federal agents arrested the two women, who are now in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody pending deportation.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The State Department identified Afshar as the niece of Soleimani and her daughter as his grandniece. Officials allege Afshar promoted Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated attacks against U.S. soldiers, and voiced support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) while living in the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked their green cards, stating they had been living a "lavish lifestyle" in Los Angeles.
Deeper Dive & Context
Background on Soleimani
Qasem Soleimani, a major general in Iran’s IRGC, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020. The U.S. has long accused Iran of using financial networks to fund terrorist operations, including Hezbollah.
Legal and Political Context
Afshar and her daughter had been green card holders since 2021, with Afshar initially arriving in the U.S. in 2015 on a tourist visa and later granted asylum in 2019. Rubio’s action follows the revocation of visas for several Iranian diplomats and staffers at Iran’s mission to the United Nations late last year.
Official Statements
Rubio stated on social media that Afshar celebrated attacks on Americans and referred to the U.S. as the "Great Satan." The State Department noted that Afshar’s husband has also been barred from entering the United States. Earlier this month, Rubio terminated the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, daughter of former Iranian official Ali Larijani, and her husband, who have since been deported.
Opposing Perspectives
While the U.S. government has framed the action as necessary to counter terrorism, critics may argue that the revocations could escalate tensions with Iran. The Iranian government has not yet publicly responded to the arrests.
Long-Term Implications
The move underscores the Trump administration’s stance on individuals with ties to foreign governments deemed hostile to U.S. interests. It also highlights ongoing efforts to restrict the activities of Iranian nationals in the U.S. amid broader geopolitical tensions.