Federal authorities have arrested multiple Iranian nationals living in the U.S. as part of a broader crackdown targeting individuals tied to Iran’s ruling elite.
The arrests were carried out in Los Angeles following a directive from Secretary of State Marco Rubio to revoke their legal residency status.
Among those detained is Seyed Eissa Hashemi, the son of a high-profile figure linked to Iran’s regime.
Hashemi, along with his wife Maryam Tahmasebi and their son, had their green cards terminated and are now in ICE custody awaiting removal proceedings.
The case has drawn attention due to Hashemi’s family background.
He is the son of Masoumeh Ebtekar, a figure widely known for her role during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.
Ebtekar served as a spokesperson for militants who seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.
The historical connection has fueled backlash over how Hashemi was able to live in the United States for years.
According to reports, Hashemi and his family entered the country in 2014 and were granted green cards through the Diversity Visa Program in 2016.
That decision is now under renewed scrutiny as the administration moves to reverse prior approvals tied to individuals connected to hostile regimes.
The arrests are part of a wider enforcement push.
Officials have been targeting relatives of Iranian political and military figures who were living in the U.S. under various visa programs.
In a separate case, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were also detained in Los Angeles.
Afshar is related to Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian general killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020.
Both women had their green cards revoked and are now facing deportation proceedings.
Reports indicate that Afshar had been living in California since 2015, while her daughter entered the country on a student visa.
Their presence in the U.S. became controversial after social media posts showed them living lavish lifestyles, including travel, luxury goods, and high-end events.
The State Department accused Afshar of celebrating the deaths of American soldiers during the ongoing conflict with Iran, per the Daily Mail.
Officials say that factor contributed to the decision to terminate her residency.
The enforcement actions reflect a broader shift in immigration policy under the current administration.
Authorities are increasingly focusing on individuals with ties to foreign adversaries, particularly those connected to political or military leadership.
Earlier this month, additional Iranian nationals linked to senior officials were removed from the country or barred from reentry.
The administration has also suspended the Diversity Visa Program in its current form as part of its policy changes.
Supporters of the crackdown argue it is necessary for national security.
Critics, however, have questioned whether individuals are being targeted based solely on family connections rather than direct actions.
For now, those arrested remain in custody as their cases move through the immigration system.
The situation highlights the growing intersection between immigration enforcement and foreign policy as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.
