TDIn a move underscoring the President Donald Trump Administration’s hardline stance on foreign nationals linked to hostile regimes, U.S. authorities have arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, niece of the late Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, along with her daughter.
The arrests came after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the revocation of their permanent residency status.
Rubio, who recently assumed the role of Secretary of State, revealed the decision in a statement posted on his official social media account.
“Until recently, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were green card holders living lavishly in the United States,” he wrote.
“Afshar is the niece of deceased Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani.
“She is also an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on Americans and referred to our country as the ‘Great Satan.’”
According to Rubio, both Afshar and her daughter are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and face removal proceedings.
“This week, I terminated both Afshar and her daughter’s legal status and they are now in ICE custody, pending removal from the United States,” he stated.
Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020.
His death marked a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Soleimani was widely regarded as the architect of Iran’s regional military strategy and accused by U.S. officials of orchestrating attacks against American forces and allies.
The arrest of his relatives in the United States is likely to further inflame diplomatic tensions.
Afshar has reportedly expressed public support for the Iranian regime and its anti-American rhetoric, which U.S. officials say made her continued residency in the country untenable.
Rubio emphasized that the administration would not tolerate individuals who endorse or celebrate violence against Americans.
“The Trump Administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes,” he declared.
The announcement has already sparked debate among legal experts and human rights advocates, who question whether revoking residency based on political speech sets a troubling precedent.
Supporters of the move argue that it sends a clear message that the U.S. will act decisively against individuals tied to hostile foreign powers.
As Afshar and her daughter await deportation proceedings, the case highlights the intersection of immigration policy and national security concerns.
It also underscores the administration’s willingness to take aggressive measures against those perceived as sympathetic to America’s adversaries.
This story is developing, and further updates are expected as the legal process unfolds.
Stay tuned…
