Detention of Soleimani's Relatives Highlights US-Iran Tensions
Arrests of Soleimani's Family Members
On Friday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter Sarinasadat Hosseiny, who are related to the late Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. The State Department confirmed the arrests on Saturday, noting that both women had their green cards revoked due to their connections with the Iranian government. This action coincides with the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran, which has now persisted for six weeks, as the Trump administration intensifies its examination of Iranian nationals residing in the United States.
Life in Los Angeles
Living It Up In LA
While residing in Los Angeles, Afshar was vocal about her political stance. A letter from the State Department indicated that she utilized social media to disseminate propaganda supporting the Iranian regime, celebrated assaults on American military personnel, and openly endorsed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is classified as a terrorist organization. Despite her life in California, she publicly condemned the United States, referring to it as the "Great Satan."
Her Instagram account, which showcased her lavish lifestyle, has since been removed.
Entry into the United States
How She Entered US
Afshar first arrived in the United States in 2015 on a tourist visa and was granted asylum in 2019. In 2021, her application for a green card was approved by the Biden administration. The Department of Homeland Security reported that she made several trips back to Iran after obtaining her green card. Her daughter, Hosseiny, entered the US on a student visa and became a green card holder in 2023. The reasons for Afshar's asylum remain unclear, but her public statements suggest she did not fit the profile of a political refugee.
Both women's green cards have now been revoked, and Afshar's husband has also been prohibited from entering the United States.
Government's Justification
The Government's Position
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, Lauren Bis, emphasized that holding a green card is a privilege. She stated, "If we have reason to believe a green card holder poses a threat to the US, the green card will be revoked." Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, expressing his approval of the removal order on social media, asserting that the administration will not permit the country to harbor individuals who support anti-American terrorist regimes.
Context of the Arrests
Part of a Broader Pattern
Afshar's detention is part of a larger trend. Recently, the State Department also revoked the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larjiani, the daughter of a prominent Iranian hardliner. This action followed the death of Ali Larijani, who was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes.
Background on Qasem Soleimani
Who Was Qasem Soleimani?
Hamideh Soleimani Afshar is the niece of Qasem Soleimani, who commanded the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for over twenty years. Soleimani was a significant and feared military leader in the Middle East until his assassination by a US drone strike in January 2020. His death had profound implications for the region, and now, his family's life in the US is under intense scrutiny. It remains uncertain whether images of Afshar's lavish lifestyle will reach the Iranian populace, especially considering the harsh realities faced by women in Iran.