U.S. federal agents have taken into custody Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, the niece and grandniece, respectively, of the late Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. The detentions follow the revocation of their lawful permanent resident status – commonly known as a green card – by the State Department.

Details of the Detentions

The State Department confirmed the detentions on Saturday, stating that the pair are currently under the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The location of the arrests has not been disclosed. The State Department highlighted Afshar’s reportedly extravagant lifestyle in Los Angeles, previously showcased on her now-deleted Instagram account.

Background on Qassem Soleimani

Qassem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. air strike in Baghdad in January 2020 during the Trump administration. The U.S. government justified the strike, claiming Soleimani was planning attacks against American interests, while Iran viewed it as an act of aggression.

Contradictory Statements and Allegations

Iranian news agencies quoted Narjes Soleimani, the daughter of Qassem Soleimani, stating that the family never resided in the U.S. She also clarified that the late commander had nephews, not nieces, contradicting the State Department’s characterization of Afshar’s familial connection.

The State Department asserted that Afshar was a supporter of the Iranian government and propagated its views. They also noted that Afshar’s husband had previously been banned from entering the United States.

Broader Trend of Increased Scrutiny

This action is part of a broader trend of increased scrutiny and actions against individuals perceived to have connections to Iran's government. Earlier this month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio terminated the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, the daughter of prominent Iranian politician Ali Larijani, and her husband Seyed Kalantar Motamedi. They are no longer in the United States and are prohibited from re-entry.

Ali Larijani was reportedly killed in mid-March by a U.S.-Israeli air attack. During the Trump administration, there was a significant increase in deportation efforts targeting immigrants deemed to pose a security threat, raising concerns about due process and free speech.

Legal Challenges and Ongoing Tensions

Numerous immigrants detained by ICE have been released following court orders, highlighting the legal complexities of these actions. The situation underscores the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran and raises questions about the use of immigration laws for political purposes and their impact on individuals and families.