ICE Arrests Relatives of Slain Iranian General Soleimani Living in U.S.

Authorities revoke green cards of Soleimani's niece and her daughter over ties to Iranian regime

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:38pm

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Two relatives of slain Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani living in Los Angeles were taken into custody by federal agents after Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked their green cards. Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, identified as Soleimani's niece, and her daughter were arrested and are now being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly supporting Iran's 'totalitarian, terrorist' regime.

Why it matters

This action by the Trump administration highlights its hardline stance against perceived Iranian regime sympathizers, even those with legal status in the U.S. The arrests raise questions about the extent of the administration's authority to revoke green cards and the due process afforded to legal residents.

The details

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Afshar entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2015, was granted asylum in 2019, and became a green card holder in 2021 under the Biden administration. Her daughter entered on a student visa in 2015, was granted asylum in 2019, and became a green card holder in 2023. The administration claims Afshar 'promoted Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated attacks against American soldiers and military facilities in the Middle East, praised the new Iranian Supreme Leader, denounced America as the 'Great Satan,' and voiced her unflinching support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps'.

  • Afshar and her daughter were arrested on Friday, April 4, 2026 in Los Angeles.
  • Afshar entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in June 2015.
  • Afshar was granted asylum in 2019.
  • Afshar became a green card holder in 2021 under the Biden administration.
  • Afshar's daughter entered the U.S. on a student visa in July 2015.

The players

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar

Identified as the niece of slain Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, Afshar was arrested by ICE and is being held for allegedly supporting Iran's 'totalitarian, terrorist' regime while living in the U.S. as a legal permanent resident.

Marco Rubio

The current U.S. Secretary of State who revoked the green cards of Afshar and her daughter, citing their support for the Iranian regime.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that arrested Afshar and her daughter in Los Angeles and is now holding them in custody pending removal from the United States.

Qasem Soleimani

The slain Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Maj. Gen. whose relatives were targeted by the Trump administration.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The government agency that provided details on Afshar and her daughter's immigration history and status.

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What they’re saying

“Afshar is the niece of deceased Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani. She is also an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on Americans and referred to our country as the 'Great Satan'.”

— Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State

“[Afshar] pushed this propaganda for Iran's terrorist regime while enjoying a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles, as attested to by her frequent posting on her recently deleted Instagram account.”

— U.S. State Department

What’s next

The Trump administration has indicated it will continue to scrutinize the legal status of individuals with ties to the Iranian regime, raising concerns about due process and the potential for further revocations of green cards and other immigration benefits.

The takeaway

This case highlights the Trump administration's hardline stance against perceived Iranian regime sympathizers, even those with legal status in the U.S. It raises questions about the extent of the government's authority to revoke green cards and the due process afforded to legal residents.