INTERNATIONAL, April 6, 2026 (NPA) — The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained two relatives of the late Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in the Tujunga neighborhood of Los Angeles, intensifying a broader crackdown on families of senior Iranian officials residing in America.
The individuals were identified as Soleimani’s niece, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny. According to officials, both women were taken into custody after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked their Lawful Permanent Resident status. They are currently being held while awaiting deportation proceedings.
Authorities allege that the pair lived a lavish lifestyle in the United States while simultaneously using social media platforms to promote propaganda supportive of Iran’s Islamic regime. Investigators also accuse them of celebrating attacks against American soldiers online, raising concerns about their activities while enjoying residency privileges.
This latest action forms part of a wider U.S. initiative targeting relatives of high-ranking Iranian officials who have settled in the country. The campaign has already led to the termination of legal status for several individuals, including the daughter of former Iranian security chief Ali Larijani.
Officials say the crackdown is intended to send a clear message that the United States will not provide safe haven to family members of foreign leaders or officials who are accused of undermining American interests while benefiting from residency in the country.
ICE emphasized that the arrests reflect a growing determination to confront foreign influence operations and ensure that U.S. immigration laws are applied consistently, particularly in cases involving individuals linked to hostile regimes.
The detention underscores the continuing geopolitical tensions between Washington and Tehran, and immigration enforcement as a tool of foreign policy.
