ICE Arrests Late Iranian General Qasem Soleimani’s Niece in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — Federal ICE agents have arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of the late Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny. The arrests took place on Friday night following a direct order from the U.S. government to revoke their legal residency status.

The U.S. State Department confirmed on Saturday that both women are currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This move marks a significant escalation in the administration’s crackdown on foreign nationals with ties to the Iranian government living within the United States.

The decision to terminate the lawful permanent resident (LPR) status of the two women came from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to official statements, the government took action because of Afshar’s alleged activities and public statements while living in California.

Federal ICE Officials cited several reasons for the move:

Promotion of Propaganda: Afshar reportedly used social media to spread Iranian regime propaganda.
Support for Terrorism: She allegedly voiced “unflinching support” for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the U.S. classifies as a terrorist organization.
Anti-American Rhetoric: Officials claim she celebrated attacks against American soldiers and referred to the United States as the “Great Satan.”
Fraudulent Asylum Claims: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Afshar’s 2019 asylum claim was “fraudulent.” Investigators noted she had made at least four trips back to Iran after receiving her green card, contradicting her claim of seeking refuge.

A “Lavish Lifestyle” in Los Angeles

While living in the U.S., Afshar reportedly documented an extravagant lifestyle in Los Angeles. Her Instagram account, which has since been deleted, featured photos of high-end living that stood in stark contrast to her public support for a regime often at odds with Western values.

“Soleimani Afshar pushed this propaganda for Iran’s terrorist regime while enjoying a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles,” the State Department said in a formal media note.

The administration emphasized that residency in the United States is a privilege, not a right. Officials stated they would not allow individuals who support “totalitarian, terrorist regimes” to benefit from the safety and economy of the U.S.

Broader Context of the Crackdown

These arrests come at a time of extreme tension between Washington and Tehran. The U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran is now entering its sixth week. In addition to the arrests of Afshar and her daughter:

Family Bans: Afshar’s husband has been officially barred from entering the United States.
Other High-Profile Revocations: Earlier this month, the government revoked the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, the daughter of former Iranian security official Ali Larijani, along with her husband. Both have already left the country and are barred from returning.
Increased Scrutiny: The Trump administration has significantly stepped up efforts to identify and deport foreign nationals deemed to be security threats or propaganda agents.

Legal and Civil Rights Concerns

While the government maintains these actions are necessary for national security, the move has sparked debate among legal experts and rights advocates.

Some advocates have raised concerns regarding due process and free speech. They argue that revoking residency based on social media commentary could set a precedent that affects other legal residents. However, the DHS has been firm, stating that if a green card holder is believed to pose a threat or has committed fraud during the application process, their status will be terminated.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar is the niece of Qasem Soleimani, the former leader of Iran’s elite Quds Force. Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020. At the time, U.S. officials stated the strike was necessary to stop “imminent attacks” on American diplomats and service members.

In Iran, Soleimani remains a celebrated figure, but in the U.S., he is remembered as the architect of decades of Iranian military activity and regional instability. The arrest of his relatives in Southern California highlights the long reach of this geopolitical conflict.

Afshar and her daughter are expected to remain in ICE custody while the government proceeds with formal deportation. Because their legal residency has been revoked, they no longer have the same protections against removal as they did previously.

The State Department thanked the Department of Homeland Security and ICE for their collaboration, signaling that more revocations may follow as the administration continues to review the statuses of individuals with high-level ties to the Iranian government.