US Government Moves to Revoke Hamideh Soleimani Afshar’s Green Card

The U.S. Government has terminated the lawful permanent resident status of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, leading to their arrest by federal agents on April 3, 2026. The action follows a decision by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to revoke their green cards due to ties to the Iranian government.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar is the niece of the deceased Major General Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Her daughter is the grand-niece of the late general. Both individuals are currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Basis for Status Revocation

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the 2019 asylum claim made by Soleimani Afshar was fraudulent. To support this claim, DHS cited that Soleimani Afshar made at least four trips back to Iran after she had been issued a green card.

The State Department further alleged that Soleimani Afshar utilized her position to promote Iranian regime propaganda and celebrated attacks against U.S. Forces in the Middle East. According to a State Department statement, she also denounced the United States as the Great Satan while residing in Los Angeles.

U.S. Officials identified Soleimani Afshar as an outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran, citing both press reporting and her own social media commentary as evidence.

Legal and Immigration Implications

The revocation of lawful permanent resident status removes the legal basis for the individuals to remain in the United States. A DHS spokesperson informed CBS News that the government will move to strip the green cards and ultimately deport the individuals.

The spokesperson emphasized that holding a green card is a privilege and that the status will be revoked if there is reason to believe a holder poses a threat to the U.S.

In addition to the actions taken against Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, the State Department confirmed that her husband has been barred from entering the United States.

Context of the Soleimani Connection

Qasem Soleimani, the architect of Iran’s regional military activities, was killed in a U.S. Drone strike in Iraq in January 2020. He is regarded as a national icon by supporters of Iran’s theocracy.

The current enforcement actions are part of a broader movement to revoke green cards and visas of several Iranian nationals connected to the government in Tehran.