US Arrests Soleimani Family Members, Revokes Green Cards on Rubio's Order

The US State Department announced the arrest and revocation of permanent residency of two members of the family of Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of the IRGC's Quds Force. Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were arrested by federal agents after their green cards were revoked by order of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They are now in ICE detention. Hamideh Soleimani Afshar is Qasem Soleimani's niece. According to the State Department statement, based on media reports and her own social media posts, Soleimani Afshar is an outspoken supporter of Iran's "totalitarian and terrorist regime." The statement said she praised attacks against US soldiers and military installations in the Middle East, admired Mojtaba Khamenei, called the US the "Great Satan," and supported the IRGC — a designated terrorist organization. Posts on her recently deleted Instagram account were cited as evidence. She was noted to have lived a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles. In addition to her green card revocation, her husband has also been barred from entering the US. Secretary Rubio announced the details on X, stating that prior to the revocation they had been living luxuriously in the US on green cards. Rubio described Afshar as an outspoken supporter of the Islamic Republic who celebrated attacks against Americans. He stated: "The Trump administration will not allow America to become a home for foreign nationals who advocate for terrorist and anti-American regimes."