US Administration Intensifies Crackdown on Iranian Elites Residing in America
In a significant escalation of its policy towards individuals linked to the Iranian regime, the United States has revoked the Green Cards of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter Sarinasadat Hosseiny. These individuals are the niece and grandniece of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Major General Qasem Soleimani, a prominent figure in Iran's military hierarchy. This action marks the beginning of a broader initiative aimed at other elite Iranians living within US borders.
Katie Miller Exposes Visa Revocation Efforts on Fox News
Katie Miller, a podcaster and the wife of Stephen Miller, who serves as the deputy chief of staff at the White House, recently appeared on Fox News to discuss these developments. She revealed that President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are working diligently to revoke the visas of approximately 3,000 to 4,000 Iranian elites currently in the United States. Miller expressed bewilderment over why so many elites from the Iranian regime have been granted safety not only in the US but also in various European nations.
"The double standard, not only in their wardrobe, but the fact they get to live here in the greatest country in the world, with safety and prosperity, you could not make it up," Miller stated during her interview, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy in allowing such individuals to reside in Western countries.
High-Profile Cases and Academic Backlash
Following the outbreak of recent conflicts, Dr. Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, whose late father was a top official in Tehran, was removed from her position at Emory University. This decision came after a massive public backlash questioned why she was permitted to continue serving as an assistant professor at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta. The case underscores the growing scrutiny on Iranian elites in academic and professional roles within the US.
However, the most high-profile instances involve the arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the mother-daughter duo, Afshar and Hosseiny. Their arrests brought to light the lavish lifestyle they maintained in Los Angeles, which has drawn significant attention and criticism.
State Department Details Propaganda and Legal Violations
The State Department issued a statement outlining the reasons behind the Green Card revocations. According to officials, while living in the United States, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar actively promoted Iranian regime propaganda. Her activities included:
- Celebrating attacks against American soldiers and military facilities in the Middle East
- Praising the new Iranian Supreme Leader
- Denouncing America as the "Great Satan"
- Voicing unflinching support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is designated as a terrorist organization
The State Department further noted that Afshar pushed this propaganda for Iran’s regime while enjoying a luxurious lifestyle in Los Angeles, as evidenced by her frequent posts on a recently deleted Instagram account.
Immigration History and Legal Grounds for Disqualification
Afshar entered the United States on a tourist visa in 2015 and was later granted asylum by an immigration judge in 2019. She achieved lawful permanent resident status in 2021. However, in a 2025 naturalization application, officials discovered that she had made multiple trips back to Iran after receiving her Green Card. This disclosure now serves as a ground for disqualification, leading to the revocation of her residency status.
Her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny, arrived in the US in July 2015 on a student visa. She was granted asylum in 2019 and became a Green Card holder in 2023. Both cases highlight the complex legal pathways and subsequent scrutiny faced by individuals with ties to the Iranian regime.
This crackdown reflects a broader US strategy to address perceived threats and propaganda efforts by Iranian elites residing abroad, signaling a tougher stance on immigration and national security matters related to Iran.
