The United States government has revoked the green cards of relatives of slain Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, accusing them of supporting what it described as Iran’s “terrorist regime.”
According to a media note issued by the U.S. Department of State on Saturday, federal agents arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of the late Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Qasem Soleimani, along with her daughter after their lawful permanent resident status was terminated.
The decision to revoke their immigration status was taken by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after authorities alleged that Afshar publicly supported the Iranian government and promoted its propaganda while living in the United States.
The State Department said both women are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) pending removal proceedings.
Officials alleged that Afshar used social media platforms to praise Iran’s leadership, support the IRGC – designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organisation – and celebrate attacks against American soldiers and military facilities in the Middle East.
According to the statement, Afshar also referred to the United States as the “Great Satan” and expressed unwavering support for the Iranian regime while residing in Los Angeles.
“While living in the United States, she promoted Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated attacks against American soldiers and military facilities in the Middle East, praised the new Iranian Supreme Leader, and voiced support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” the State Department said.
Authorities further disclosed that Afshar’s husband has been barred from entering the United States.
The action forms part of a broader move by the U.S. government targeting individuals linked to senior Iranian officials.
Earlier in the month, Secretary Rubio also terminated the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, the daughter of former Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, and her husband, Seyed Kalantar Motamedi. Both individuals have since left the United States and have been barred from future entry.
In a follow-up statement posted on X, Rubio said the administration would not allow foreign nationals who support hostile regimes to remain in the country.
“Until recently, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were green card holders living lavishly in the United States,” Rubio wrote.
“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.”
The State Department said it worked closely with the Department of Homeland Security and ICE in carrying out the action, adding that the move reflects the Trump administration’s policy of preventing individuals who support “anti-American terrorist regimes” from living in the United States.