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U.S. Official Marco Rubio has revoked the green cards of relatives of the late Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, transferring the individuals to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation.

The action targets the family members of Soleimani, including Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, as part of a move to remove the relatives of the slain commander from the United States.

Legal and Administrative Actions

The revocation of permanent residency, commonly known as green cards, removes the legal basis for the individuals to remain in the U.S. Following the revocation, the affected individuals were handed over to ICE, the federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and managing removals.

This administrative process places the individuals in ICE custody to facilitate their deportation from the country.

Context of U.S.-Iran Relations

The decision follows long-standing tensions between the United States and Iran. Qasem Soleimani was a high-ranking Iranian military official whose death remains a central point of friction in the diplomatic and military relationship between the two nations.

The targeting of Soleimani’s relatives through the revocation of their legal status reflects a broader approach to U.S.-Iran relations involving the use of legal and immigration frameworks to address security and political concerns.