Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

The United States has revoked the permanent residency of two women it alleges are relatives of former Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, Qassem Soleimani was one of Iran’s most powerful military figures, serving as the longtime commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, where he directed Iran’s foreign military operations and built a network of allied militias across the Middle East to expand Iranian influence. The United States accused him of orchestrating attacks that killed American troops, supporting militant groups, and plotting future strikes against US diplomats and forces, with officials claiming he was involved in plans for “imminent” attacks. He was ultimately killed on January 3, 2020, in a US drone strike near Baghdad International Airport ordered by President Trump, which the Pentagon said was intended to deter further attacks and eliminate a major threat.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked the legal permanent residency of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, who the US government claims are related to Qassem Soleimani. The two women were arrested and are currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as officials move to deport them from the country. The State Department also barred Afshar’s husband from entering the United States as part of the action.

Rubio publicly took credit for the decision, writing, “This week, I terminated both Afshar and her daughter’s legal status,” and adding that she is “an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on Americans and referred to our country as the ‘Great Satan’.” The State Department echoed that justification, describing her as someone who promoted Iranian government propaganda while living what it called a “lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles.”

US officials argued that her presence in the country was incompatible with national security interests, stressing that permanent residency is a privilege, not a right. According to the Department of Homeland Security, her original asylum claim was deemed “fraudulent,” citing multiple return trips to Iran after she had been granted a green card. Officials said these factors, combined with her public statements, justified revoking her status.

As of now, there has been no comment from Afshar or lawyers representing her.