Photos show California home of Qasem Soleimani’s relatives after ICE arrest
Key Takeaways
- Two U.S. lawful permanent residents identified as relatives of the late Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani were arrested by ICE after their status was revoked, and are now facing removal proceedings.
- It has been reported that the State Department announced the revocations; in practice, Homeland Security agencies — USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) — carry out revocations and enforcement actions.
- Images obtained by the media show a modest accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and possessions consistent with residential rental activity; unverified claims about lavish lifestyles and stolen funds are being widely circulated.
- The action signals an increased focus by U.S. authorities on immigration ties to foreign security concerns, with potential implications for other relatives of sanctioned or designated actors living in the U.S.
What happened
Federal immigration officers detained Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, 47, and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny, 25, after an announcement over the weekend that their lawful permanent resident status had been revoked. ICE — the agency responsible for enforcement of immigration laws — carried out the arrests. It has been reported that the State Department announced the move; however, revocation of green cards and initiation of removal proceedings are typically undertaken through DHS components (USCIS and ICE), which then place individuals in immigration court processes.
Evidence and allegations
Photos published by the outlet show the small ADU where Afshar resided, the main property with furniture on the lawn, a Tesla Model 3, and items such as a selfie ring-light and a mannequin inside the unit. It has been reported that critics allege Afshar benefited from embezzled Iranian regime funds and maintained a lavish lifestyle on those proceeds; those claims are unverified and have been made in public commentary cited by the article. Public figures quoted in the coverage expressed outrage, but those statements reflect political reaction rather than adjudicated findings.
Legal and human impact
A revocation of permanent resident status typically leads to detention and placement into removal (deportation) proceedings, where the individual can appear before an immigration judge to contest removal or raise legal defenses. For immigrants — including long-settled family members — this means immediate legal jeopardy, potential detention, and the need for counsel to navigate complex proceedings. The case also underscores a broader policy trend: U.S. authorities increasingly use immigration tools against individuals tied to foreign adversaries or designated organizations, which could affect other relatives of regime officials or those alleged to have provided material support.
Source: Original Article