The Trump administration has moved to deport two Iranian nationals after accusing them of celebrating the deaths of American troops during the ongoing conflict with Iran, escalating tensions over national security and immigration enforcement.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Los Angeles. Both had been living in the United States as legal permanent residents before their status was revoked.
According to Rubio, the decision was based on social media activity in which Afshar allegedly praised attacks on U.S. forces and expressed support for the Iranian regime. He said the two individuals are now in ICE custody and will be deported at the earliest opportunity.
Afshar is the niece of Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of Iran’s Quds Force, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020. Her connection to one of Iran’s most prominent military figures added to the scrutiny surrounding the case.
Rubio outlined the administration’s position in a public statement, saying the U.S. would not allow individuals who support hostile regimes to remain in the country.
He also accused Afshar of promoting Iranian propaganda, referring to America as the “Great Satan,” and openly backing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization.
Officials said Afshar’s online activity intensified in recent weeks following the start of U.S. military operations against Iran. The posts, which have since been deleted, were reportedly flagged as part of a broader review of individuals expressing support for foreign adversaries during the conflict.
The revocation of green card status is a significant legal step. Permanent residency allows foreign nationals to live and work in the United States indefinitely, but that status can be removed if individuals are found to have engaged in activities deemed harmful to national security or in violation of immigration law.
In this case, the administration is framing the decision as a matter of national security rather than a routine immigration issue. The argument centers on whether public expressions of support for a hostile foreign regime—particularly during an active conflict—cross the threshold into grounds for removal.
Critics may question how that standard is applied and whether it raises broader concerns about free speech. However, immigration law operates under a different framework than constitutional protections for citizens, giving the government wider authority to act in cases involving non-citizens, per the Daily Mail.
The timing of the arrests is notable. The U.S. remains engaged in a high-stakes conflict with Iran, with rising casualties, increased military deployments, and growing geopolitical instability. Domestic responses tied to the war are being closely watched, particularly when they intersect with national security.
President Donald Trump has taken a hardline stance on both immigration and foreign policy, and this case reflects the overlap between those priorities. The administration is signaling that support for adversarial regimes, even from within U.S. borders, will not be tolerated.
