U.S. Government Revokes Visas of Iranian Nationals Amid Ongoing Tensions
U.S. Immigration Actions Against Iranian Nationals
The U.S. administration has recently annulled the visas and lawful permanent residency of several Iranian individuals associated with the Iranian government. This week, at least two of these individuals have been detained by immigration authorities and are facing deportation. This decision follows Secretary of State Marco Rubio's assessment that these individuals are no longer permitted to stay in or enter the United States, as stated by the State Department.
According to the department, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, who is the niece of the late Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps leader Qassem Soleimani, along with her daughter, has been apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The statement confirmed, “Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” Furthermore, it was noted that Afshar’s husband has also been denied entry into the United States.
For years, Afshar and her daughter resided in Los Angeles, openly supporting the Iranian government. Rubio remarked on social media that Afshar is a “vocal supporter of the Iranian regime who has celebrated assaults on Americans and labeled the U.S. as the 'Great Satan.'” He emphasized that the Trump administration will not permit the country to serve as a refuge for individuals who endorse anti-American terrorist regimes.
This action is part of a larger initiative targeting Iranian nationals connected to Tehran. Recently, the U.S. also revoked the visa of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, an academic and daughter of a former Iranian national security adviser, along with her spouse, Seyed Kalantar Motamedi. Officials confirmed that both individuals are no longer present in the United States.
Additionally, in December, the State Department withdrew or chose not to renew the visas of several Iranian diplomats and personnel at Iran’s U.N. mission, including a deputy ambassador. This decision, made on December 4, was not elaborated upon due to 'privacy and security reasons' and was clarified to be unrelated to the protests in Iran or the ongoing conflict.
On February 28, the U.S. and Israel conducted a joint operation against Iran, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking commanders. The Islamic Republic's retaliation has escalated the conflict throughout the Gulf region, significantly impacting energy supply chains, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.