ICE Agents Arrest Mother and Daughter with Iranian Ties in Dramatic Los Angeles Raid
A piano instructor renting a property owned by the niece of Iranian military leader General Qasem Soleimani has described the intense scenes when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested a mother and daughter in Los Angeles. Halasious Bradford, 50, reported that the arrests on Friday did not come as a complete surprise, as agents were visibly active in the neighborhood streets prior to the operation.
Details of the Arrest and Charges
At approximately 5 p.m. on Friday, ICE agents apprehended Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, 47, and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny, 25. According to the State Department, their Green Cards were revoked due to their connections to the Iranian regime. Afshar had publicly celebrated attacks on U.S. soldiers and military facilities, praised Iran's Supreme Leader, referred to America as the "Great Satan," and expressed support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is designated as a terrorist organization.
Witness Account of the Raid
Bradford was driving home during the raid and found the street blocked off by multiple ICE vehicles and three Los Angeles Police Department patrol cars. Although he did not witness the women being taken away, he noted it was his first time meeting Hosseiny in person. Both women were at the single-story property for a scheduled inspection of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) by the City of Los Angeles, which explains their presence when ICE arrived.
Hosseiny's boyfriend was also present during the raid, as reported by the New York Post. He informed Bradford that he and Hosseiny were intercepted by ICE while driving outside the house, with agents demanding to know Afshar's whereabouts.
Background on the Women's Entry into the U.S.
Afshar entered the United States on a tourist visa in 2015, obtained asylum in 2019, and became a green card holder in 2021. Her daughter, Hosseiny, arrived in 2021 on a student visa and secured her green card in 2023. The home was listed for rent on Zillow, and Bradford signed the lease online with Hosseiny because Afshar did not speak English well.
Social Media and Lifestyle
Sarin Sadat Hosseiny's Instagram account, which has since been deleted, documented a lavish lifestyle including visits to a nightclub in Miami, trips to Alaska, and celebrations in Las Vegas. This online presence contrasted sharply with the serious allegations leading to their arrests.
The incident highlights ongoing U.S. efforts to monitor and act against individuals with ties to foreign regimes deemed hostile, particularly in the context of immigration enforcement and national security concerns.
