The Trump administration has moved to dismantle the lives of two women in Los Angeles, revoking their legal residency and placing them in federal custody because of their familial ties to the late Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. The arrests of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny, signal a sharpening of domestic enforcement as the United States and Israel continue a military conflict with Iran that began in late February.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the two women, both former green card holders, are now in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) pending their removal from the country. In a statement on X, Rubio characterized the pair as individuals who lived “lavishly” in the U.S. While allegedly supporting an “anti-American terrorist regime.”
A Legal Pivot Amid Active War
The detentions are not happening in a vacuum. They arrive as the Trump administration aggressively seeks to identify and revoke the immigration status of foreign nationals deemed aligned with U.S. Enemies. According to government officials, Soleimani Afshar—the niece of the general killed in a 2020 drone strike—had allegedly celebrated military strikes against American personnel and praised Iran’s new supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a large-scale air attack at the start of the current war.
The State Department further alleged that Soleimani Afshar labeled the United States the “Great Satan” and promoted Iranian propaganda while residing in California.
The timeline of their arrival in the U.S. Paints a picture of a decade-long integration that is now being undone. Hamideh Soleimani Afshar entered the country on a tourist visa in 2015, while her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny, arrived that same year on a student visa. Both were granted asylum in 2019, with Hosseiny receiving her green card in 2023.
Contested Connections
While the U.S. Government frames these arrests as a matter of national security and immigration fraud, the family is pushing back. The daughter of General Soleimani has publicly called the State Department’s claims false, asserting that the arrested women “have no connection whatsoever” to her father.
This contradiction highlights the tension between the administration’s broad definition of “alignment” with enemy regimes and the actual personal ties of the individuals being targeted. For the Trump administration, the familial link to the commander of the Quds Force—the elite branch responsible for Iran’s foreign operations—is a focal point of a wider strategy to ensure the U.S. Does not “become a home” for supporters of the Iranian government.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were their green cards revoked?
The administration cited two primary reasons: allegations of promoting Iranian propaganda and celebrating attacks on U.S. Soldiers, and evidence of immigration fraud. Specifically, the DHS noted that Hamideh Soleimani Afshar traveled to Iran four times after receiving her green card, which they argue proves her asylum claims were fraudulent.
Who is Sarinasadat Hosseiny?
She is the daughter of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and the grand-niece of the late General Qasem Soleimani. She entered the U.S. On a student visa in 2015 and was granted a green card in 2023.
What does this imply for other Iranian nationals in the U.S.?
These arrests suggest that the Trump administration may increase scrutiny of permanent residents with ties to Iranian officials, particularly those who have expressed support for the Iranian government or who may have inconsistencies in their asylum histories, especially during an active military conflict.
Will they be deported immediately?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the women are currently “pending removal” from the country, meaning they are in the legal process of being deported following the revocation of their lawful permanent resident status.
As the U.S. Continues its military campaign against Iran, will the administration expand these residency revocations to other relatives of Iranian officials living in the United States?






