BREAKING: ICE Arrests Niece and Grandniece of Slain IRGC Commander Qasem Soleimani After Secretary Rubio Revokes Their Green Cards Over Alleged Support for Attacks on U.S. Soldiers
By Reflecto News Staff
April 4, 2026
Lahore, Pakistan – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of late Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Qasem Soleimani, along with her daughter (Soleimani’s grandniece) after Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked their lawful permanent resident (green card) status. The pair is now in ICE custody pending removal proceedings from the United States.
The State Department announced the action on April 4, 2026, framing it as part of a broader crackdown on individuals with ties to the Iranian regime amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran war.
Allegations and Reasons for Revocation
According to the State Department and public reporting, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar — who had been living a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles — is an outspoken supporter of Iran’s government. She allegedly:
- Celebrated attacks on U.S. soldiers and American military facilities in social media posts.
- Promoted Iranian regime propaganda.
- Referred to the United States as the “Great Satan.”
- Voiced support for the IRGC, which is designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization.
Her social media activity, including now-deleted Instagram posts showcasing an affluent lifestyle alongside pro-regime commentary, drew scrutiny. Secretary Rubio highlighted that the family benefited from U.S. residency while backing a regime hostile to American interests. Afshar’s husband has also been barred from entering the United States.
This is part of a reported effort by the Trump administration to revoke green cards and visas of several Iranian nationals linked to Tehran.
Social media imagery associated with Hamideh Soleimani Afshar showing her public profile and alleged pro-regime content. (Composite from reporting)
Background on Qasem Soleimani
Qasem Soleimani served as commander of the IRGC’s elite Quds Force and was killed in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad International Airport in January 2020 during Trump’s first term. He was widely regarded in the U.S. and by its allies as a central figure in Iranian-backed terrorism, proxy militias, and attacks on American forces across the region.
Portrait of the late IRGC Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani.
Timing and Context in the Iran War
The arrests occur as the six-week-old conflict intensifies:
- President Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran reach a deal or fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Senator Lindsey Graham warning of a “massive military operation” if Tehran chooses poorly.
- Fresh U.S.-Israeli strikes have caused massive explosions across northern Tehran, Isfahan, and other sites.
- The U.S. is reportedly depleting significant portions of its JASSM-ER stealth cruise missile stockpiles, with only ~425 remaining from a pre-war total of ~2,300.
- A fourth strike near the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant prompted Russian condemnation as an “evil deed,” with Iranian warnings of potential radioactive fallout affecting Gulf capitals.
- Iran has rejected temporary ceasefire proposals and maintains selective restrictions on Hormuz traffic (recently exempting Iraq).
The move signals a hardening domestic stance against perceived Iranian influence inside the U.S., aligning with the administration’s maximum pressure campaign.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who ordered the revocation of the green cards.
Reactions and Next Steps
- U.S. Officials: The action is presented as a national security measure to remove supporters of a terrorist-linked regime from American soil.
- Iranian Response: Tehran is expected to condemn the arrests as politically motivated persecution.
- Legal Process: The women face removal (deportation) proceedings. Appeals or challenges may occur, but the revocation of LPR status typically leads to swift enforcement.
This development is part of a wider pattern of immigration enforcement targeting individuals with alleged ties to adversarial regimes during active conflict.
Reflecto News will monitor any further statements from the State Department, ICE, or Iranian officials, as well as potential diplomatic repercussions in the context of the escalating Iran war, Strait of Hormuz tensions, and U.S. domestic debates.
This is a developing story.