Relatives of Iranian General Qassem Suleimani Arrested in Los Angeles, Immigration Status Revoked

Federal officials arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny, in Los Angeles on Friday, according to an announcement from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The two women are relatives of Maj. Gen. Qassem Suleimani, the high-ranking Iranian commander killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020.

The arrests were made as part of a broader policy aimed at restricting foreign nationals with ties to sanctioned Iranian officials. Soleimani Afshar is the niece of the late general, who led Iran’s elite Quds Force until his death. Authorities stated that both women’s lawful permanent resident status has been revoked, and Soleimani Afshar’s husband has also been barred from entering the country.

Rubio asserted that while living in Los Angeles, Soleimani Afshar promoted pro-Iranian regime views and expressed support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. Federal statements allege she publicly praised attacks against American military targets and voiced support for Iran’s leadership, behavior cited as grounds for the action against her residency.

Department of Homeland Security Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis confirmed that Soleimani Afshar first arrived in the U.S. in 2015 on a tourist visa, received asylum in 2019, and then was granted a green card in 2021. She reportedly traveled to Iran four times since receiving her permanent resident status. Hosseiny entered the U.S. on a student visa, was granted asylum in 2019, and obtained a green card in 2023.

Suleimani’s death in a U.S. airstrike at a Baghdad airport in January 2020 was a significant moment in U.S.-Iran tensions, with the Pentagon citing threats to American personnel as the justification for the operation. His legacy continues to influence developments involving Iran and the U.S.

The revocation of residency for Soleimani Afshar and her daughter comes amid several recent actions against relatives of prominent Iranian officials residing in the United States. According to Rubio, additional individuals, including the daughter of a former Iranian security council secretary, have also had their legal status terminated.

As of Saturday, both Soleimani Afshar and Hosseiny remain in federal custody. Federal authorities have not released further details regarding potential upcoming legal proceedings.