U.S. Revokes Green Cards of Soleimani Relatives
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently annulled the green cards held by two relatives of the late Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Qasem Soleimani, paving the way for their arrests by immigration authorities.
“Until recently, Hamide Soleimani Afshar and her daughter lived in luxury in the United States,” Rubio stated, noting that Soleimani’s niece and grandniece are affected by this decision.
Rubio highlighted that Soleimani Afshar openly supports the Iranian regime, which has a history of hostile rhetoric against the United States.
The two relatives were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles last Friday.
“This week, I lifted the legal status of Mr. Afshar and his daughter, who are now in ICE custody awaiting removal from the United States,” Rubio said. “The Trump administration will not permit our nation to become a refuge for those who back anti-American terrorist regimes.”
Reports indicate that Soleimani Afshar celebrated military actions against the U.S. during ongoing regional conflicts. She also expressed support for Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, following the death of his predecessor in an Israeli attack on February 28.
According to a statement from the State Department, while residing in the U.S., Soleimani Afshar demonstrated “unwavering support” for the Revolutionary Guards, which are recognized as a terrorist organization, and helped circulate their propaganda.
Additionally, Soleimani Afshar’s husband has also been barred from entering the United States.
Rubio previously revoked the immigration status of Fatemeh Ardeshir Larijani, daughter of a former Iranian security head, along with her husband. They have since left the country and cannot return.
General Soleimani led Iran’s military and intelligence abroad until he was killed in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad International Airport in January 2020. Officials at the time claimed that he was plotting attacks on U.S. personnel and that the strike aimed to thwart those plans.
Soleimani supported various militant groups across the Middle East and was held accountable by the U.S. for the deaths of American soldiers during the Iraq conflict.
