Trump Administration Arrests Relatives of Late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Los Angeles

The Trump administration has detained two relatives of the late Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani in Los Angeles, following the revocation of their legal residency. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that federal authorities took the individuals into custody after they were accused of promoting Iranian propaganda and supporting designated terrorist organizations while living in the United States.

Legal Status Revoked and ICE Detentions

On Saturday, April 4, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny. The detentions followed a move by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to terminate their lawful permanent resident status—commonly known as green cards—earlier in the week. According to Fox News, the two women are currently being held by ICE pending their removal from the United States.

Secretary Rubio stated on X that the decision to strip their legal status was based on their outspoken support for the Iranian regime. He further noted that while they lived “lavishly” in Los Angeles, they simultaneously worked to undermine U.S. Interests.

Allegations of Propaganda and Terrorist Support

The State Department has leveled several serious accusations against Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, who is the niece of the deceased General Soleimani. According to reports from the Los Angeles Times and UPI, the justifications for the arrests include:

• Promoting Regime Propaganda: Afshar is accused of using her platform to promote the Iranian dictatorship.
• Celebrating Attacks: The administration claims she celebrated attacks against American soldiers and military facilities in the Middle East.
• Supporting Terrorist Organizations: She allegedly voiced “unflinching support” for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is a designated terrorist organization.
• Anti-American Rhetoric: Rubio highlighted that Afshar referred to the United States as the “Great Satan” and praised the new Iranian Supreme Leader.

the State Department noted that Afshar’s husband has also been barred from entering the United States.

Context: The Death of Qassem Soleimani

These arrests are linked to the legacy of Major General Qassem Soleimani, who led the Quds Force—an elite branch of the Iranian military responsible for foreign operations. Soleimani was killed on January 3, 2020, in a U.S. Military airstrike near the Baghdad airport in Iraq. That strike was ordered by President Donald Trump during his first term in office as retaliation for protesters storming the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Key Takeaways

• Who: Hamideh Soleimani Afshar (niece of Qassem Soleimani) and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny.
• What: Arrested by ICE and stripped of their green cards.
• Where: Los Angeles, California.
• Why: Accused of promoting Iranian propaganda and supporting the IRGC.
• Authority: Action led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the State Department.

Looking Ahead

The detention of the Soleimani relatives marks a continuing trend of the Trump administration targeting the family members of Iranian officials residing within the U.S. As federal authorities move toward the removal of Afshar and Hosseiny, the situation underscores the heightened tensions between the U.S. And the Iranian regime.