Niece of Iranian General Detained for Deportation After Flaunting Opulent US Lifestyle
Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the 47-year-old niece of the late Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, and her daughter Sarinasadat Hosseiny, 25, are now facing imminent deportation from the United States. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained the pair in Los Angeles on Friday, following the revocation of their permanent resident status.
Lavish Social Media Posts Trigger Investigation
The mother and daughter had documented their extravagant lifestyles on now-deleted social media accounts, posting images of champagne consumption, designer clothing from brands like Louis Vuitton, luxury holidays in destinations such as Las Vegas and Miami, expensive cars including a blue Hummer, and helicopter rides in the desert. These posts stood in stark contrast to the strict dress codes enforced in Tehran, where women face severe penalties for similar attire.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Afshar of celebrating the deaths of American soldiers during the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. The State Department press release stated she had "praised the new Iranian Supreme Leader, denounced America as the 'Great Satan' and voiced her unflinching support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps," which is designated as a terrorist organization.
Asylum Claims Deemed Fraudulent
Afshar originally entered the United States on a tourist visa in June 2015, while her daughter arrived on a student visa. They were granted asylum by a judge in 2019 and obtained green cards in 2021. However, the Department of Homeland Security revealed that in a July 2025 naturalisation application, Afshar disclosed she had traveled to Iran at least four times since receiving her green card, rendering her asylum claims "fraudulent."
Rubio noted that the State Department was alerted to Afshar's activities through her Instagram posts, which have since been removed. He emphasized, "The Trump Administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes." Notably, DHS has not accused Hosseiny of asylum fraud or making anti-American statements.
Background and Property Details
Afshar is the niece of Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran's Quds Force who was killed by a US drone strike at Baghdad Airport in January 2020. Public records indicate Afshar lives in a $740,000 home in the Tujunga neighborhood of Los Angeles, which she purchased for $505,000 in September 2021. The two-bedroom, two-bath property offers stunning views of the Crescenta Valley and Verdugo Mountains.
Her anti-American rhetoric reportedly intensified in recent weeks following President Donald Trump's bombing campaign against Iran that began on February 28, which resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Broader Context of Deportation Efforts
This case occurs within a broader context of increased deportation efforts by the Trump administration during its second term, targeting immigrants deemed threats. Earlier this month, Rubio also terminated the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, daughter of veteran Iranian politician Ali Larijani, and her husband, who are no longer in the United States.
Rights advocates have raised concerns about free speech and due process in such cases, noting that many immigrants detained by ICE have been released following court orders. Meanwhile, President Trump recently issued threats via Truth Social to destroy Iran's power plants and bridges if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened to shipping by Tuesday, escalating tensions further.
The Daily Mail has approached DHS for additional comment on the case, which highlights the intersection of immigration enforcement, geopolitical tensions, and the scrutiny of social media activities.
