U.S. Deports Iranians Linked to Regime

Crackdown targets Iranian nationals with ties to Tehran's theocratic government

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:09pm

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A close-up of an Iranian passport or immigration document resting on a wooden table, the document partially obscured by shadows and highlights that create a somber, cinematic mood, conveying the gravity of the deportations.The deportation of Iranians with ties to the regime in Tehran reflects the Biden administration's hardline stance against Iran and its efforts to limit the influence of the country's theocratic government.Los Angeles Today

The U.S. government has deported seven Iranian nationals with connections to Iran's regime, including the son of a former spokesperson for the 1979 U.S. embassy hostage crisis and the niece of slain general Qasem Soleimani. The deportations are part of a broader crackdown by the State Department and Department of Homeland Security on Iranians with ties to the country's theocratic government.

Why it matters

The deportations signal a hardline stance by the U.S. government against Iranian nationals with links to the regime in Tehran, which has been in conflict with the U.S. for decades. The move comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries and reflects the Biden administration's efforts to take a tougher approach toward Iran compared to previous administrations.

The details

Among those deported are Seyed Eissa Hashemi, the son of Masoumeh Ebtekar, known as 'Screaming Mary' for her role in the 1979 U.S. embassy takeover. Also deported were Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of slain Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, and her daughter. The deportations occurred in Los Angeles, which has a large Persian community. Immigration authorities allege the deportees' asylum claims were fraudulent.

  • On April 3, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter Sarinasadat Hosseiny were arrested in Los Angeles and had their green cards revoked.
  • This week, ICE agents detained Seyed Eissa Hashemi, along with his wife and child, in Los Angeles.

The players

Masoumeh Ebtekar

The Islamic revolution's spokesperson for militants involved in the 1979 takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, where 66 Americans were taken hostage.

Seyed Eissa Hashemi

The son of Masoumeh Ebtekar, who was detained by ICE agents in Los Angeles this week.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar

The 47-year-old niece of slain Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, who was arrested in Los Angeles and had her green card revoked on April 3.

Sarinasadat Hosseiny

The 25-year-old daughter of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, who was also arrested in Los Angeles and had her green card revoked.

Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani

A faculty member at Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute, who was removed from the country along with her husband Seyed Kalantar Motamedi.

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What they’re saying

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

— Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

What’s next

The judge in the cases will decide whether to allow the deportees to remain in the U.S. or be permanently removed.

The takeaway

The deportations of Iranians with ties to the regime in Tehran underscore the Biden administration's hardline stance against Iran and its efforts to crack down on those perceived as supporting the country's theocratic government. This move is likely to further strain relations between the U.S. and Iran.