ICE Arrests Grand-Niece of Iranian Commander Qasem Soleimani in Los Angeles
In a significant enforcement action, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested the grand-niece of the late Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, along with her mother, in Los Angeles. The arrests occurred after their U.S. permanent resident status was revoked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio due to alleged connections to the Iranian regime.
Details of the Arrest and Background
Sarinasadat Hosseiny, 25, and her mother, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, were taken into custody by ICE agents on Friday, April 3. Their green cards were revoked just hours before the arrest, following a determination by U.S. authorities that their ties to Iran posed a security risk. Hosseiny had been residing in the United States since 2015, initially entering on a student visa before obtaining permanent residency during the Biden administration in 2023.
Despite these family connections, Hosseiny's social media presence painted a picture of a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles. Her posts showcased extensive travel across the U.S., including visits to Miami, Las Vegas, and Alaska, as well as attendance at music festivals where she was often seen laughing and smiling. Other images depicted her on private aircraft and yachts, wearing attire such as bikinis and miniskirts that would be prohibited under Iranian law.
Alleged Ties to the Iranian Regime
The State Department has cited evidence that Hosseiny's mother expressed support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated terrorist organization by the U.S. since 2019. In social media posts, Soleimani Afshar reportedly referred to America as the "Great Satan" while living in California. These actions contributed to the revocation of their residency status under U.S. immigration laws targeting individuals with links to hostile regimes.
Soleimani Afshar first entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2015 and was granted asylum in 2019, later receiving a green card in 2021. However, the Department of Homeland Security has alleged that her asylum claim was fraudulent, further complicating their legal standing.
Broader Context and Reactions
Qasem Soleimani, the grand-uncle of Hosseiny, commanded Iran's elite Quds Force, a branch of the IRGC, and was considered Iran's most powerful military figure until his death in a U.S. drone strike in 2020. Former President Donald Trump recently referenced Soleimani's killing, describing him as "an evil genius" and suggesting Iran would be in a stronger position in current conflicts if he were still alive.
These arrests are part of a wider U.S. crackdown on individuals with alleged links to Iran, aimed at enhancing national security. In response, Narjes Soleimani, the daughter of the former commander, has defended the arrested women, stating they "have no connection whatsoever" to her father and accusing Washington of fabricating the claims against them.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the stringent measures being taken to monitor and address potential security threats from individuals associated with foreign regimes. As legal proceedings unfold, the fate of Hosseiny and Soleimani Afshar remains uncertain, with implications for U.S. immigration policy and international relations.
