U.S. Revokes Legal Residence Status of Former Iranian Guard Leader's Family

Soleimani's niece and grand-niece arrested and taken into ICE custody after asylum claims deemed 'fraudulent'

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:49pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic office space with a lone desk and chair casting long shadows across the floor in warm, golden light, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around the revocation of legal residency for family members of Iran's former military leadership.The revocation of legal residency for family members of Iran's former military leadership exposes the U.S. government's hardline stance against perceived threats from the Iranian regime.Los Angeles Today

The U.S. government has revoked the legal resident status of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of deceased Iranian Revolutionary Guard Major Gen. Qasem Soleimani, and her daughter. They were arrested and taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after their asylum claims were deemed 'fraudulent'. The State Department accused Soleimani Afshar of promoting Iranian regime propaganda and denouncing the U.S. as the 'Great Satan' while living a 'lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles'.

Why it matters

This action highlights the U.S. government's efforts to crack down on perceived threats from Iran, even among family members of high-profile Iranian officials. It reflects the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the government's willingness to use immigration laws to target individuals with ties to the Iranian regime.

The details

Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were granted U.S. asylum in 2019, but the government has now moved to strip them of their green cards and deport them. The Department of Homeland Security said Soleimani Afshar's asylum claim was 'fraudulent', citing at least four trips back to Iran after being issued a green card. Her husband has also been barred from entering the U.S. The government is now seeking to revoke their legal resident status and deport them.

  • Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were arrested on Friday night.
  • Soleimani Afshar was granted U.S. asylum in 2019.

The players

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar

The niece of deceased Iranian Revolutionary Guard Major Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was granted U.S. asylum in 2019 but has now had her legal resident status revoked.

Qasem Soleimani

The deceased Iranian Revolutionary Guard Major General who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq in 2020.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The government agency that determined Soleimani Afshar's asylum claim was 'fraudulent' and is now seeking to revoke her and her daughter's green cards.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency that took Soleimani Afshar and her daughter into custody after their legal resident status was revoked.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State who also terminated the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, the daughter of a former Iranian security official, and her husband.

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What they’re saying

“As identified by both press reporting and her own social media commentary, Soleimani Afshar is an outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran.”

— U.S. State Department

“It is a privilege to be granted a green card to live in the United States of America. If we have reason to believe a green card holder poses a threat to the U.S., the green card will be revoked.”

— DHS Spokesperson

“The Trump Administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes.”

— Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State

What’s next

The government is now moving to strip Soleimani Afshar and her daughter of their green cards and deport them.

The takeaway

This case highlights the U.S. government's efforts to crack down on perceived threats from Iran, even among family members of high-profile Iranian officials. It reflects the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the government's willingness to use immigration laws to target individuals with ties to the Iranian regime.