Terror General’s Relatives Partied in LA — ARRESTED

Federal authorities arrested two Iranian nationals with ties to a designated terrorist organization—family members of slain Iranian General Qasem Soleimani—who fraudulently claimed asylum while publicly celebrating attacks on American forces and living lavishly in Los Angeles.

Story Snapshot

ICE arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter in Los Angeles on April 3, 2026, after Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked their green cards
Both women obtained asylum in 2019 under fraudulent claims, then made at least four trips back to Iran, contradicting their asylum applications
Afshar publicly promoted Iranian regime propaganda and celebrated attacks on U.S. forces while denouncing America as the “Great Satan”
The arrests reflect broader Trump administration enforcement against foreign nationals supporting adversarial regimes, raising concerns about Biden-era vetting failures

Biden Administration’s Failed Vetting Process

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar entered the United States in June 2015 on a tourist visa, then obtained asylum status in 2019 for herself and her daughter. Both women received green cards under the Biden administration in 2021 and 2023 respectively, despite their direct family connection to Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander killed by a U.S. drone strike in January 2020. The asylum approval raises serious questions about how individuals connected to America’s enemies secured protected status while the previous administration prioritized policies that hampered immigration enforcement and security screenings.

Fraudulent Asylum Claims Exposed

The fraud unraveled when Afshar filed a naturalization application in July 2025, disclosing at least four trips to Iran after receiving her green card in 2021. This travel pattern directly contradicted her 2019 asylum claim, which required demonstrating fear of persecution by the Iranian regime. Asylum applicants must prove they cannot safely return to their home country, yet Afshar repeatedly traveled back to Iran while maintaining residency in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security identified this contradiction as primary evidence that her asylum application was fraudulent from the outset.

Anti-American Advocacy While Enjoying U.S. Benefits

Throughout her residence in Los Angeles, Afshar publicly promoted Iranian regime propaganda on social media and celebrated attacks against U.S. forces in the Middle East. Secretary Rubio stated that Afshar “celebrated attacks on Americans and referred to our country as the ‘Great Satan'” while enjoying a “lavish lifestyle” in Los Angeles. This behavior exemplifies the troubling reality of foreign nationals who exploit America’s generosity while actively supporting hostile regimes. The State Department emphasized that the United States will not serve as “a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes.”

Immediate Deportation and Broader Enforcement

Both women remain in ICE custody pending formal removal proceedings, with deportation to Iran imminent. Afshar’s husband has been permanently barred from entering the United States. The Trump administration also terminated the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, daughter of former Iranian security official Ali Larijani, and her husband earlier in April 2026. A DHS spokesperson emphasized that green card status is a privilege: “If we have reason to believe a green card holder poses a threat to the U.S., the green card will be revoked.” This enforcement action demonstrates that residency protections do not shield individuals who fraudulently obtained status or pose security threats.

Setting Precedent for National Security

The arrests establish important precedent for revoking immigration benefits based on ideological support for adversarial regimes and social media advocacy against American interests. Iranian nationals and supporters of hostile governments now face intensified scrutiny of their travel patterns, social media activity, and connections to foreign military or intelligence services. This case highlights the critical importance of thorough vetting processes and demonstrates the Trump administration’s commitment to correcting previous failures that allowed regime supporters to exploit America’s immigration system. The message is clear: public support for terrorist organizations and anti-American propaganda is incompatible with the privilege of U.S. residency.