US Revokes Residency for Relatives of Qassem Soleimani; Niece Arrested in Los Angeles
In a decisive move against foreign nationals supporting the Iranian government, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked the lawful permanent resident status of two women related to the late Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, identified as Soleimani’s niece, and her daughter were arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles and are currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) pending their removal from the country.
- Arrests: Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were detained by ICE in Los Angeles.
- Action: Secretary of State Marco Rubio terminated their green cards/legal status.
- Justification: The State Department cites Afshar’s outspoken support for the Iranian regime and celebrations of attacks on Americans.
- Broader Scope: The administration has also revoked visas for Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani and her husband, Seyed Kalantar Motamedi.
The Basis for Legal Status Termination
The U.S. State Department has characterized Hamideh Soleimani Afshar as an “outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran.” According to official statements, Afshar utilized her social media presence to promote Iranian propaganda and celebrate attacks targeting American soldiers and military installations in the Middle East. The department further noted that she referred to the United States as the “Great Satan” and expressed “unflinching support” for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated terrorist organization.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the action on X, stating that the Trump administration will not permit the U.S. To become a sanctuary for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes. In addition to the arrests of Afshar and her daughter, Rubio has also barred Afshar’s husband from entering the United States.
A Wider Crackdown on Iranian Nationals
The actions taken against the Soleimani family are part of a broader trend of visa and residency revocations targeting individuals linked to the Iranian regime. Recently, the State Department revoked the visas of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani—an academic and daughter of former national security adviser Ali Larijani—and her husband, Seyed Kalantar Motamedi. Reports indicate that neither Larijani nor Motamedi are currently within the U.S. Ali Larijani was killed in a U.S.-Israel airstrike last month.
Conflicting Claims and Legal Questions
The arrests have sparked debate regarding the limits of free speech for legal residents and the extent to which family ties influence U.S. Immigration enforcement. While the U.S. Government relies on social media posts and public statements to justify the revocations, the family has contested these claims. Zeinab Soleimani, the daughter of the late general, issued a denial via Iranian media, asserting that the two arrested women have no ties to Qassem Soleimani.
Historical Context: The Legacy of Qassem Soleimani
Qassem Soleimani, the former leader of the IRGC’s Quds Force, was a central figure in Iran’s foreign military operations from 1998 until 2020. He was killed in a U.S. Airstrike in Baghdad in January 2020, an operation ordered by President Donald Trump during his first term in office. The current administration’s decision to remove his relatives reflects a continuing hardline stance toward the Iranian leadership and its supporters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hamideh Soleimani Afshar?
She is the niece of the late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and was a lawful permanent resident living in Los Angeles before her status was revoked.
Why were their green cards revoked?
The U.S. Government alleges that Afshar promoted propaganda for the Iranian regime, praised the new Iranian Supreme Leader, and celebrated attacks on American military facilities.
What happens to them now?
Both Afshar and her daughter are currently in ICE custody pending their official removal from the United States.
As the U.S. Continues to tighten immigration restrictions for those linked to adversarial regimes, these arrests signal a heightened focus on the political activities and public expressions of foreign nationals residing within U.S. Borders.