Lifestyle photos and pro-regime posts clash in green card drama

Two Los Angeles residents linked to a powerful Iranian figure found themselves in hot water after federal officials discovered a major mismatch between their online posts and their visa claims. Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter Sarinasadat Hosseiny were taken into custody last week by immigration authorities, who said their social media activity showed support for a government the U. S. considers a sponsor of terrorism. Their green cards were revoked, and their arrest was announced over the weekend by a top State Department official. Instead of sticking to claims of needing protection from Iran, records show Afshar traveled back to the country four times since arriving in the U. S. in 2015. Authorities called this evidence that her original asylum request was based on false pretenses. Though Afshar has denied any family ties to a slain Iranian military leader, U. S. officials insist she is his niece, a connection that adds weight to accusations of spreading propaganda.

Their social media posts from the past tell a different story. Afshar frequently shared photos and videos of designer outfits, luxury cars, and glamorous events, while Hosseiny posted similar content, though often with a more revealing style. The contrast between these images and the strict rules enforced by the Iranian regime sparked strong reactions online, with some users joking about seeing the pair back in Iran. One Los Angeles man who knew Afshar said he had long doubted her right to stay in the U. S. because of her public praise for Iran’s leadership and criticism of America. He shared that Afshar had even shown him photos with high-ranking Iranian military officers, claiming one was her uncle. After the FBI reached out with questions about her living situation, Afshar reportedly sought his advice, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the consequences. Federal authorities listed a string of activities that raised red flags, from celebrating attacks on American troops to calling the U. S. the “Great Satan” in online posts. Despite enjoying a high-profile lifestyle in California, their online presence became a liability. Authorities made it clear that supporting anti-American regimes while living comfortably in the U. S. is a fast track to losing legal status.

Actions