U.S. Immigration authorities have detained the niece and grandniece of the late Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Los Angeles, the U.S. State Department announced. The arrests follow a determination that the women were no longer eligible for lawful permanent resident status, leading to the immediate termination of their green cards.
Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten residency and visa requirements for Iranian nationals with ties to the government in Tehran.
According to the State Department, the decision was finalized this week after Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined that the individuals did not meet the requirements for permanent residency or entry into the United States. The administration’s action targets those it identifies as having direct or ideological links to the Iranian state.
Justification for Residency Revocation
The State Department based its decision on a combination of press reports and the individuals’ own public activity. In an official statement, the department asserted that Soleimani Afshar is an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime, which the U.S. Classifies as a totalitarian and terrorist entity.
Authorities specifically cited social media commentary as evidence of her support for the Iranian government and its associated anti-American attacks. The State Department further alleged that Ms. Afshar and her daughter had maintained a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles for several years whereas publicly aligning themselves with Tehran’s interests.
The crackdown extends beyond the two women; the State Department confirmed that Ms. Afshar’s husband has also been banned from entering the United States. This sequence of events highlights a shift toward using immigration status as a tool of diplomatic and security pressure against the relatives of high-ranking Iranian officials.
A Wider Crackdown on Iranian Nationals
The arrest of the relatives of Gen. Qassem Soleimani is not an isolated incident. The Trump administration has revoked the green cards or visas of at least four Iranian nationals linked to current or former government officials. While some have been banned from entry, two have already been detained by immigration authorities and are facing deportation.
These measures follow a pattern of escalating restrictions on Iranian diplomatic presence in the U.S. Late last year, the administration revoked the visas of several diplomats and support staff stationed at Iran’s mission to the United Nations, citing national security concerns and the nature of their diplomatic activities.
The legal mechanism used in these cases involves the Secretary of State’s authority to determine eligibility for permanent residency. When a resident is found to be ineligible—often due to security threats or association with prohibited entities—the State Department can terminate their status, leaving them subject to ICE detention and removal proceedings.
| Action Taken | Target Group | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Revocation | UN Mission Diplomats/Staff | Late 2025 |
| Eligibility Determination | Iranian Government-Linked Nationals | April 2026 |
| Green Card Termination/Arrest | Soleimani Relatives | April 2026 |
The Context of the Quds Force
The focus on the family of Qassem Soleimani underscores the enduring tension between Washington and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Gen. Soleimani, the former leader of the Quds Force, was the primary architect of Iran’s regional influence and proxy networks across the Middle East before he was killed in a U.S. Drone strike in January 2020.
By targeting the relatives of the late general, the U.S. Government appears to be signaling that the personal and financial benefits of U.S. Residency will not be extended to those who actively support the IRGC’s objectives. The use of social media footprints to justify residency revocation suggests a more aggressive approach to monitoring the political activities of foreign nationals living within the U.S.
Legal experts note that while the U.S. Has broad powers to revoke visas, the termination of green cards (lawful permanent residency) is a more complex legal process that typically requires evidence of a violation of the terms of residency or a threat to national security.
The next confirmed step in this process will be the deportation hearings for the detained nationals, where they may challenge the State Department’s determination. Official updates on these proceedings are typically managed through the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice regarding U.S. Immigration law.
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