Secretary of State Marco Rubio terminated the legal status of two relatives of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Major General Qasem Soleimani, leading to their arrest by federal immigration agents in Los Angeles after officials determined they supported Iran’s terrorist regime while living in the United States.

Green Cards Revoked for Iranian General’s Niece

Federal agents arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, identified as Soleimani’s niece, and her daughter on Friday after Rubio revoked their green cards. The State Department announced Afshar promoted Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated attacks against American soldiers, and called the United States the “Great Satan” while enjoying a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles. Immigration and Customs Enforcement now holds both women pending removal from the country.

Afshar entered the United States on a tourist visa in June 2015 and received asylum in 2019 under the Obama administration. The Biden administration granted her a green card in 2021. Department of Homeland Security officials revealed Afshar filed for naturalization in July 2025, disclosing she traveled to Iran at least four times since receiving her green card. These trips to Iran demonstrate her asylum claims were fraudulent, according to a DHS spokesperson.

Daughter Also Loses Legal Status

Afshar’s daughter entered the country on a student visa in July 2015, obtained asylum in 2019, and became a green card holder in 2023. Rubio emphasized that Afshar voiced unflinching support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated terrorist organization, while living on American soil. Officials also barred Afshar’s husband from entering the United States. The State Department made clear that holding a green card represents a privilege, not a right, and authorities will revoke legal permanent resident status when individuals pose threats to national security.

Part of Broader Enforcement Pattern

Earlier this month, the State Department terminated the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, daughter of a former senior Iranian official, along with her husband. Both individuals left the United States and face permanent entry bans. The Trump administration stated it will not allow America to become a sanctuary for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes. These enforcement actions come as Iranian and Houthi missiles struck Tel Aviv, prompting strong warnings from President Donald Trump for Iran to negotiate and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.