Rubio Revokes Green Cards of Soleimani Relatives, Hands Them to ICE

Move comes as US-Iran tensions remain high after killing of Iranian commander

Apr. 4, 2026 at 8:34pm

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The United States has revoked the green cards of two relatives of slain Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and handed them over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for potential deportation, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise.

Why it matters

The revocation of green cards for relatives of Qasem Soleimani, the powerful Iranian military leader killed in a US drone strike in 2020, is seen as a politically-charged move that further escalates the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.

The details

According to reports, the two individuals who had their green cards revoked are Afshar Soleimani and another unnamed relative. Authorities allege that Afshar Soleimani used social media to promote propaganda for Iran's government while living a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles.

  • The green cards were revoked in early April 2026.

The players

Marco Rubio

A US Senator from Florida who has taken a hardline stance against Iran.

Qasem Soleimani

The slain Iranian military commander who led the Quds Force, the overseas operations arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Afshar Soleimani

A relative of Qasem Soleimani who had her green card revoked and faces potential deportation.

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The takeaway

This move by the US government represents an escalation in the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, with the revocation of green cards for Soleimani relatives seen as a politically-charged action targeting those with ties to the Iranian regime.