US Revokes Green Cards, Visas of Iranian Nationals/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration revoked visas and green cards of Iranian nationals tied to Tehran. Two relatives of former Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani were detained for deportation. The move signals tougher U.S. immigration and national security enforcement against Iran-linked individuals.
US Revokes Iranian Visas + Quick Looks
- U.S. revokes visas and green cards of Iranians
- Two Soleimani relatives detained for deportation
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorized actions
- Family members lived in Los Angeles for years
- Additional Iranian academics also lost visas
- Diplomatic mission visas revoked earlier
- Policy targets Iran-linked government figures
- Immigration enforcement escalates amid tensions
Deep Look: US Revokes Green Cards, Visas of Iranian Nationals
The Trump administration has revoked visas and green cards of several Iranian nationals connected to the current and former Iranian government, marking the latest escalation in U.S. measures targeting individuals linked to Tehran.
At least four Iranian nationals have had their legal status revoked, including two individuals currently detained by U.S. immigration authorities and facing deportation, according to State Department officials.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorized the actions earlier this week, determining that the individuals were no longer eligible to remain in the United States or hold lawful permanent resident status. The move follows similar visa revocations issued last year involving Iranian diplomats and staff at Iran’s mission to the United Nations.
Among those detained are Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, who are relatives of former Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qassem Soleimani. The senior Iranian military leader was killed in a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport in 2020, a strike that significantly heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The State Department confirmed that immigration authorities arrested Afshar and her daughter late Friday. Both are currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and are expected to face deportation proceedings.
Officials also confirmed that Afshar’s husband has been barred from entering the United States.
According to the State Department, Afshar and her daughter had lived in Los Angeles for years while allegedly maintaining support for Iran’s government and publicly endorsing attacks against Americans. The department described their lifestyle as “lavish,” while criticizing their political positions.
Secretary Rubio said the administration would not allow individuals linked to hostile governments to maintain residency in the United States.
“The Trump administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes,” Rubio said in a statement posted on social media.
The Iranian mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the announcement.
Additional Visa Revocations
The Soleimani relatives are not the only individuals affected by the administration’s actions. The State Department also revoked the visas of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, an academic and daughter of former Iranian national security adviser Ali Larijani.
Ali Larijani was reportedly killed last month in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike, according to officials. The State Department also revoked the visa of Ardeshir-Larijani’s husband, Seyed Kalantar Motamedi.
Officials confirmed that neither Ardeshir-Larijani nor her husband are currently in the United States.
The visa cancellations are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten restrictions on Iranian nationals connected to government leadership, particularly amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Earlier Diplomatic Visa Revocations
In early December, prior to recent regional unrest and the ongoing conflict, the State Department revoked or declined to renew visas for several Iranian diplomats and staff members assigned to Iran’s mission to the United Nations.
Those affected reportedly included a deputy ambassador and several diplomatic staff members.
The State Department confirmed that the actions were taken on Dec. 4 but declined to provide further details, citing privacy and security considerations. Officials also noted that the visa revocations were unrelated to subsequent protests in Iran or the broader conflict.
Escalating U.S.-Iran Tensions
The visa revocations reflect growing tensions between Washington and Tehran as diplomatic relations remain strained. The United States has increasingly used immigration and financial restrictions to target individuals with ties to Iran’s government.
Officials say the policy aims to prevent individuals linked to adversarial governments from maintaining residency privileges in the United States.
The move also signals broader enforcement of immigration laws tied to national security concerns, particularly during periods of heightened geopolitical conflict.
The latest revocations come amid ongoing military tensions and diplomatic disputes between the United States, Israel, and Iran, further underscoring the widening divide between Washington and Tehran.
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