US detains relatives of Qassem Soleimani after revoking green cards

The US State Department has confirmed that relatives of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani are in ICE custody after their green cards were revoked. (a file photo)
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS/Megan Varner

The US State Department said the niece and grand niece of Gen Qassem Soleimani, who had lead the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, are now in ICE custody.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were arrested after the State Department terminated their green cards.

The State Department said “as identified by both press reporting and her own social media commentary, Soleimani Afshar is an outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran.” Afshar’s husband is also banned from entering the US. (AP)

Published on April 4, 2026