Relatives of Iranian General Arrested for Promoting 'Regime Propaganda' While Living Lavishly in LA

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter Sarinasadat Hosseiny had their green cards revoked after allegedly extolling the Iranian government and denigrating the U.S. on social media.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:25pm

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A moody, cinematic painting of a luxury SUV parked on a dimly lit urban street, with warm light and deep shadows creating a sense of solitude and contrast.The lavish lifestyle enjoyed by relatives of an Iranian general while allegedly promoting 'regime propaganda' raises questions about the vetting process for asylum and green cards.Pearsall Today

Two Los Angeles-based relatives of a deceased Iranian leader were arrested by immigration agents after one of them extolled Iranian leadership and denigrated the United States. Both repeatedly posted images and videos depicting a lavish Western lifestyle, according to federal authorities and screenshots of their social media accounts.

Why it matters

The arrests highlight concerns about foreign nationals using the U.S. as a safe haven to promote anti-American propaganda while enjoying the benefits of living in the country. The case also raises questions about the vetting process for asylum claims and green card applications.

The details

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter Sarinasadat Hosseiny were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and had their green cards revoked. They are the niece and grand-niece, respectively, of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a drone strike. Soleimani Afshar's social media posts showed her living a life of luxury, including riding in a Hummer and posing for glamour shots, which contrasted with her alleged support for the Iranian regime that restricts women's rights.

  • Soleimani Afshar came to the U.S. in 2015 on a tourist visa and was granted asylum in 2019.
  • Soleimani Afshar got her green card in 2021.
  • Hosseiny came to the U.S. on a student visa and was granted asylum in 2019, then got her green card in 2023.
  • Soleimani Afshar traveled to Iran four times since getting her green card, disclosing the information in her application last year to become a citizen.

The players

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar

The niece of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was arrested by ICE agents and had her green card revoked for allegedly promoting 'Iranian regime propaganda' while living a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles.

Sarinasadat Hosseiny

The grand-niece of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was arrested by ICE agents along with her mother Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and had her green card revoked.

Qasem Soleimani

A deceased Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Maj. Gen. who was killed in a drone strike during the Trump administration.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State who cited Soleimani Afshar's 'outspoken' support of the 'totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran' as a reason for the arrests and green card revocations.

Maziar Aflaki

A Los Angeles man who met Soleimani Afshar through a mutual acquaintance and lauded her arrest, saying he had long believed that she and her daughter 'do not deserve to live in the U.S.' because of Soleimani Afshar's pro-Iranian statements on social media.

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What they’re saying

“They don't like it in America — they shouldn't be here.”

— Maziar Aflaki, Los Angeles resident

“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 judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Soleimani Afshar and Hosseiny to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights concerns about the vetting process for asylum claims and green card applications, as well as the need to closely monitor foreign nationals who may be using the U.S. as a base to promote anti-American propaganda while living lavishly.