U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter Sarinasadat Hosseiny in Los Angeles. Soleimani is the niece of Qasem Soleimani, a significant figure in the Iranian regime who met his end in a U.S. airstrike in January 2020.
This action was taken after Secretary of State Marco Rubio moved to revoke their lawful permanent resident status. Both women are now in ICE’s custody and awaiting removal from the country, as confirmed by the State Department in a press release.
Additionally, Afshar’s husband, Seyed Kalantar Motamedi, has also been barred from entering the U.S. This decision followed the State Department’s identification of Afshar as a supporter of the Iranian government, based on her public activities and statements.
A history check shows that Afshar entered the U.S. in 2015 on a tourist visa, received asylum in 2019, and was granted a green card in 2021. Reports indicate she traveled back to Iran at least four times since then, as stated by the New York Post.
Her daughter arrived in the U.S. on a student visa in 2015 and attained green card status in 2023. They lived in Los Angeles, where Afshar actively showcased her lifestyle on social media until her account was deleted.
Niece of Qasem Soleimani, former commander of the IRGC Quds Force who has now been arrested in the United States is identified as Hamideh Soleimani Afshar. Her daughter has also been arrested. Hamideh Soleimani Afshar had a luxury lifestyle in Los Angeles. She praised Khamenei… https://t.co/qWvB9914TX pic.twitter.com/dzuhn0Dbn8
— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) April 4, 2026
The State Department noted that while in America, Afshar engaged in promoting Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated assaults against U.S. military personnel, and expressed unwavering loyalty to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is recognized as a terrorist organization.
Officials emphasized that she propagated this rhetoric while enjoying a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles, frequently highlighted on her now-deleted Instagram account.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Lauren Bis remarked, “Being granted a green card is a privilege. If we suspect a green card holder may pose a threat, we will revoke that status.”
Secretary Marco Rubio reiterated, “The Trump Administration steadfastly opposes allowing foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist organizations to reside in our country.” He further confirmed the termination of legal status for both Afshar and her daughter, who are now detained by ICE.
These revocations align with similar measures against relatives of other senior Iranian officials in recent months. Rubio also revoked the lawful status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, linked to a former Iranian official, and her husband Motamedi.
Both individuals are no longer allowed entry into the U.S. The State Department regards these actions as essential to preventing residence for those affiliated with terrorist organizations or against U.S. interests.
Afshar’s history in immigration illustrates her move from temporary status to asylum and eventual permanent residency, with her daughter following a similar route from a student visa to permanent residency.
No further information on their specific employment or community contributions in the United States has been released beyond what’s been discussed regarding their social media presence and lifestyle in Los Angeles.
