US arrests Soleimani's relatives in LA after green card revocation

US authorities apprehended Hamideh Soleimani Afshar—the niece of slain Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani—and her daughter in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 4, 2026. They are now in ICE custodypending removal after Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked their lawful permanent resident status (green cards). Rubio stated the Trump administration “will not permit our nation to serve as a refuge for foreign nationals who endorse anti-American terrorist regimes.”

Officials accuse Soleimani Afshar of celebrating attacks on American personnel, referring to the US as the “Great Satan,” and expressing “unwavering support” for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps while living “lavishly” in LA, citing her Instagram as evidence. Her husband has also been barred from entering the US. This follows similar actions against other Iranian-linked individuals, including the daughter of former security official Ali Larijani, who left the US after her visa was revoked.

These moves are part of a broader Trump administration push targeting associates of US adversaries, accelerated after US and Israeli forces began military operations against Iran in late February. Soleimani, killed by a US drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020, was Iran’s top military commander. The policy raises questions for Nigerians in the diaspora: does revoking residency for family members of foreign officials enhance security, or does it set a precedent that could affect anyone criticizing US foreign policy online? With immigration enforcement now tied to social media speech and familial ties, diaspora communities should review their digital footprint and understand that political statements—even years old—can trigger immigration consequences under this “associate of adversary” standard.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/04/05/iran-us-arrests-qassem-soleimanis-relatives-in-los-angeles/