U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken two Iranian nationals, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, into custody in Los Angeles, California, with plans for their deportation. The arrests occurred after the Trump administration accused the individuals of celebrating the deaths of American troops and supporting the Iranian regime through social media activity.
"The U.S. would not allow individuals who support hostile regimes to remain in the country." — Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the detentions, stating that both individuals, who had been living in the United States as legal permanent residents, had their status revoked. According to Rubio, the decision to revoke their green cards and initiate deportation proceedings was based on a review of Afshar’s social media posts. These posts allegedly praised attacks on U.S. forces and expressed support for the Iranian government. Afshar is identified as the niece of Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of Iran's Quds Force, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020. This familial connection has drawn additional attention to the case.
Rubio outlined the administration’s position in a public statement, indicating that the U.S. would not permit individuals who support hostile regimes to remain in the country. He further accused Afshar of promoting Iranian propaganda, including referring to America as the “Great Satan,” and openly backing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization. Officials reported that Afshar’s online activity intensified in recent weeks, coinciding with the commencement of U.S. military operations against Iran. The posts, which have since been deleted, were reportedly flagged as part of a broader governmental review targeting individuals expressing support for foreign adversaries during the ongoing conflict.
The revocation of legal permanent residency, commonly known as green card status, represents a significant legal action. While permanent residency allows foreign nationals to live and work indefinitely in the United States, this status can be removed if individuals are found to have engaged in activities deemed harmful to national security or in violation of immigration law. In this specific case, the Trump administration is framing its decision as a matter of national security rather than a routine immigration issue. The central argument hinges on whether public expressions of support for a hostile foreign regime, particularly during an active conflict, cross the threshold into grounds for removal under existing immigration statutes.
Critics may raise questions regarding the standards applied in such cases and whether they could potentially impact broader concerns about free speech. However, it is generally understood that immigration law operates under a different framework than the constitutional protections typically afforded to U.S. citizens. This distinction grants the government wider authority to act in cases involving non-citizens, particularly when national security is invoked, a point highlighted by reports from the Daily Mail.
The timing of these arrests is notable, occurring as the U.S. remains engaged in a high-stakes conflict with Iran. This period has been characterized by rising casualties, increased military deployments, and growing geopolitical instability in the region. Domestic responses related to the conflict are under close scrutiny, especially when they intersect with national security and immigration policies.
President Donald Trump has consistently maintained a hardline stance on both immigration and foreign policy throughout his administration. This particular case underscores the overlap between these two core priorities, signaling the administration’s intention that support for adversarial regimes, even from within U.S. borders, will not be tolerated. The move is consistent with the President’s broader strategy to enhance national security and enforce strict immigration controls. The individuals remain in ICE custody as deportation proceedings are prepared.
