ICE arrests niece and grandniece of Iranian terror mastermind in Los Angeles

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and Sarinasadat Hosseiny had their green cards revoked for ties to the Iranian regime

Apr. 5, 2026 at 3:48am

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Federal immigration agents arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, 47, and her daughter Sarinasadat Hosseiny, 25, at their Los Angeles-area home on Friday. The pair, who are the niece and grandniece of Iranian terror mastermind Gen. Qasem Soleimani, had their green cards revoked for alleged ties to the Iranian regime, including Afshar's celebration of attacks on U.S. soldiers and support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Why it matters

The arrests highlight the U.S. government's continued vigilance against threats linked to Qasem Soleimani's network, even years after his death. The case also raises questions about how individuals with suspected ties to hostile foreign regimes are able to gain legal status and reside in the United States.

The details

According to authorities, Afshar had celebrated attacks on U.S. soldiers and military facilities, praised Iran's Supreme Leader, called America the 'Great Satan,' and voiced support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated terror organization. Afshar entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2015, gained asylum in 2019, and became a green card holder in 2021. Her daughter, Hosseiny, arrived in 2021 on a student visa and secured her green card in 2023. Both women had traveled back to Iran multiple times, raising red flags with U.S. authorities.

  • On Friday, April 4, 2026, ICE agents arrested Afshar and Hosseiny at their home in Tujunga, California.
  • Afshar gained asylum in the U.S. in 2019 and became a green card holder in 2021.
  • Hosseiny arrived in the U.S. in 2021 on a student visa and secured her green card in 2023.

The players

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar

The 47-year-old niece of Iranian terror mastermind Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who had her green card revoked for alleged ties to the Iranian regime.

Sarinasadat Hosseiny

The 25-year-old grandniece of Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who had her green card revoked along with her mother, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar.

Halasius Bradford

The 50-year-old piano instructor who rented a property owned by Afshar in Tujunga, California.

Lauren Bis

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security who emphasized the seriousness of revoking green cards for individuals believed to pose a threat to the U.S.

Gen. Qasem Soleimani

The Iranian terror mastermind who was the uncle of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and great-uncle of Sarinasadat Hosseiny.

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What they’re saying

“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 US, the green card will be revoked.”

— Lauren Bis, DHS spokesperson

What’s next

The case highlights the U.S. government's continued efforts to monitor and take action against individuals with suspected ties to hostile foreign regimes, even years after the death of key figures like Gen. Qasem Soleimani. It remains to be seen if Afshar and Hosseiny will face further legal consequences or deportation.

The takeaway

This case underscores the challenges the U.S. faces in vetting individuals seeking legal status, particularly those with potential links to designated terror organizations or hostile foreign governments. It also raises questions about how such individuals are able to establish themselves in American communities before being detected and apprehended by authorities.