WASHINGTON D.C. April 4, 2026 – U.S. immigration authorities arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of late Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, and her daughter (Soleimani’s grand-niece) late Friday after Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked their lawful permanent resident (green card) status.
The women, who had been living in the Los Angeles area, are now in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and face deportation proceedings. A senior State Department official confirmed the action was taken due to the family members’ documented support for the Iranian regime, including social media activity that celebrated attacks on U.S. forces and referred to America as the “Great Satan” while enjoying life in the United States.
The arrests were first reported Saturday by independent outlets and quickly confirmed by Reuters, BBC, and other major news organizations. According to officials, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar maintained a prominent Instagram presence showcasing a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles before the account was deleted. Her husband was also barred from entering the United States.
Secretary of State Rubio described the move as part of a broader policy to terminate legal status for individuals with ties to the Iranian regime amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions. The action comes as the Trump administration has issued a 48-hour ultimatum related to the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing regional conflict.
Qasem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020. His family members had held legal U.S. residency for years prior to the revocation.
The development has drawn sharp reactions online, with some praising it as a firm national-security measure and others criticizing it as political retaliation targeting family members. Iranian state media has not yet issued an official comment.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor the situation for updates on the deportation proceedings and any diplomatic fallout.
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