U.S. Deports Relatives of Iranian Regime, Activists Warn 'Tip of the Iceberg'

Iranians in America with ties to the Islamic regime face deportation as activists call for more action against 'sleeper cells'

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:11am

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A conceptual illustration featuring overlapping, fragmented shapes and lines in shades of navy, red, and gold, representing the complex issue of Iranian regime members residing in the United States.The U.S. government's crackdown on Iranian regime members living in America exposes a national security threat hidden in plain sight.Chicago Today

The U.S. government has recently deported several Iranians with ties to the Islamic regime, including the son of a notorious figure from the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. Iranian activists praise the move but warn there are thousands more regime-linked individuals living in America who pose a national security threat.

Why it matters

The deportations highlight concerns about Iranian regime members and their families exploiting their presence in the U.S. to spread propaganda, lobby, and live comfortably using money stolen from the Iranian people. Activists argue these individuals could potentially act as 'sleeper cells' and threaten national security.

The details

In recent weeks, federal authorities have arrested and deported several Iranians with connections to the Islamic regime, including Seyed Eissa Hashemi, an adjunct professor whose mother is a notorious figure from the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. Hashemi, his wife Maryam Tahmasebi, and their son had their green cards revoked. This follows the deportation of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and Sarinasadat Hosseiny, the grandniece and niece of the late Iranian terror mastermind Qasem Soleimani. Activists say they spent months gathering evidence that led to these arrests.

  • On Saturday, federal officials revoked the green card of Seyed Eissa Hashemi.
  • Just days earlier, Hashemi, his wife, and their son were arrested by ICE agents.
  • A week prior, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and Sarinasadat Hosseiny were deported from the U.S.

The players

Shayan Khosravanifarahani

A journalist and activist who praised the U.S. government's actions and warned there are thousands more Iranians with regime ties living in America who pose a national security threat.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State who took action against Iranians living in the U.S. with ties to the Islamic regime.

Seyed Eissa Hashemi

An adjunct associate professor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology whose green card was revoked due to his connections to his mother, a notorious figure from the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.

Maryam Tahmasebi

Seyed Eissa Hashemi's psychology professor wife, whose green card was also revoked.

Morgan Mahdizadeh

An Iranian-American grassroots activist who has been sounding the alarm for years about Iranians with ties to the terrorist regime living in the U.S.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we couldn't do really much about it just on social media. So, we immediately started hitting authorities and finding details about them.”

— Shayan Khosravanifarahani, Journalist and activist

“They are here to influence policy, they are here to steal technology, and that's a national security threat.”

— Morgan Mahdizadeh, Iranian-American grassroots activist

“The Democratic administration just closed their eyes to this. But, now we are really grateful that [the Trump Admin.] are taking action against these people and this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

— Morgan Mahdizadeh, Iranian-American grassroots activist

What’s next

The U.S. government is expected to continue its efforts to identify and deport more Iranians with ties to the Islamic regime living in America.

The takeaway

This crackdown on Iranian regime members and their families living in the U.S. highlights the national security concerns around these individuals and the need for continued vigilance to root out potential 'sleeper cells' that could threaten American interests.