U.S. Federal Agents Arrest Niece and Grandniece of Slain Iranian Commander Qassem Soleimani After Rubio Revokes Their Green Cards

WASHINGTON, April 4, 2026 (Reuters) — U.S. federal agents arrested the niece and grandniece of the late Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qassem Soleimani on Friday, hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked their lawful permanent resident status, the State Department announced Saturday.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to the department. Afshar’s husband has also been barred from entering the United States.

The move is part of a broader Trump administration effort to restrict U.S. immigration privileges for individuals linked to the Iranian regime, which Washington accuses of widespread human rights abuses and support for terrorism. Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020, was a central figure in Iran’s Quds Force and was designated a terrorist by the United States for orchestrating attacks against American forces and allies.

In a statement, the State Department framed the revocation as a direct response to ties with the “Iranian Terror Regime.” Officials emphasized that family members of senior regime figures who have benefited from America’s immigration system while the Iranian people face repression are no longer welcome.

Secretary Rubio has signaled a hard-line stance on immigration enforcement tied to national security and foreign policy. Earlier actions under his leadership included revoking visas and green cards for individuals deemed adversarial to U.S. interests, including supporters of designated terrorist groups. The Soleimani family case appears to fit within this policy of targeting those with direct familial links to high-level Iranian military and regime figures.

Qassem Soleimani was widely regarded in Iran as a national hero but was viewed by the U.S. and its partners as a key architect of regional instability, including support for proxy militias responsible for attacks on American troops. His 2020 death significantly escalated tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Details about the specific reasons for revoking the women’s green cards beyond their familial connection were not immediately elaborated in the State Department statement. Immigration experts note that the secretary of state holds broad authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to revoke permanent resident status when it is determined to be in the national interest, though such decisions can sometimes face legal challenges.

The arrests come amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions and ongoing scrutiny of Iranian-linked individuals inside the United States. No immediate comment was available from Iranian officials or representatives for the family.

ICE officials confirmed the women are in custody pending further proceedings, which could include deportation. The development underscores the administration’s commitment to tightening controls on immigration pathways used by relatives of adversarial foreign powers.

17GEN4.com