Top diplomat Marco Rubio strips Qassem Soleimani’s niece of US residency

In April 2026, the US government revoked the permanent residency of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, niece of the late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, and her daughter. The State Department cited Soleimani Afshar's vocal support for the Iranian regime and celebration of attacks on Americans as the reason for the decision. Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed responsibility for terminating their legal status, accusing Soleimani Afshar of referring to the US as the "Great Satan." Both women were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and are awaiting deportation. The State Department also highlighted Soleimani Afshar's "lavish lifestyle" in Los Angeles. This action occurs amidst the ongoing US and Israeli war on Iran and marks the second instance this month of the US government revoking legal immigration status from relatives of Iranian leaders.

The U.S. government has revoked the green cards or visas of at least four Iranian nationals with ties to the Iranian government. This week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined that these individuals were no longer eligible for lawful permanent resident status or entry into the United States. Among those affected are Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of slain Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, and her daughter, who were arrested by immigration agents in Los Angeles on Friday. The State Department stated that Afshar and her daughter had been living a "lavish lifestyle" in Los Angeles while publicly supporting the Iranian government. Rubio stated that Afshar is an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on Americans.

The US has arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of deceased Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, and her daughter. Their US permanent resident status was revoked by the Secretary of State. They are currently in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) awaiting removal from the country. The State Department stated that Soleimani Afshar is an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime and has promoted Iranian propaganda on social media. Soleimani Afshar's husband has also been barred from entering the US. Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike in 2020, headed Iranian military operations in the Middle East as head of Iran's elite Quds Force.