Soleimani’s niece is arrested by ICE after her legal status is revoked.

Iranian Missile Strikes Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv has come under attack from Iranian and Houthi missiles, prompting a strong warning from President Trump to Iran. He emphasized the need for Iran to negotiate a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In a related incident, two family members of the late Iranian Revolutionary Guard Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani were detained by federal agents following actions taken by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who revoked their green cards.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, Soleimani’s niece, along with her daughter, are currently in custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as confirmed by the State Department on Saturday.

According to the Trump administration, Afshar has supported what they term Iran’s “totalitarian terrorist” regime.

Rubio mentioned in a statement, “Ms. Afshar, as the niece of General Soleimani, has openly backed the Iranian regime, which has lauded its assaults on Americans and labeled our nation the ‘Great Satan.’

He further noted that he revoked their legal status, stating that they are now under ICE supervision as they face removal from the country.

Afshar’s history includes vocal support for attacks against U.S. soldiers and a strong allegiance to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, recognized as a terrorist organization.

The State Department cited her previous social media activity as evidence of her ongoing propaganda efforts for the Iranian government while living comfortably in Los Angeles.

Afshar and her daughter were arrested in Los Angeles on Friday, with Homeland Security detailing the timeline of Afshar’s visa history, which started in June 2015.

Initially granted asylum in 2019, she became a green card holder in 2021. Yet, her travels back to Iran raised suspicions about the legitimacy of her asylum claim.

In July 2025, she applied for naturalization, disclosing multiple trips to Iran since her green card approval.

Her daughter experienced a similar trajectory regarding her immigration status. The spokesperson for DHS emphasized the privilege of holding a green card and the implications of posing a threat to the U.S.

Furthermore, the authorities have also barred Afshar’s husband from entering the United States.

Earlier in the month, the U.S. revoked the legal status for another Iranian national connected to a former official, indicating a consistent approach towards individuals linked with the Iranian regime.

The statement from the Trump administration underscored a commitment to keep the U.S. free from foreign entities that support anti-American terrorism.