The United States government has moved to terminate the lawful permanent resident status of three Iranian nationals over alleged ties to individuals associated with Iran’s leadership, in a decision that underscores Washington’s hardline stance toward perceived security threats.
According to a statement released on Saturday by the U.S. Department of State, the action was ordered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The individuals affected—Seyed Eissa Hashemi, Maryam Tahmasebi, and their son—were taken into custody earlier in the week by federal agents and are currently being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) pending removal proceedings.
Officials said the decision to revoke their residency status was based on alleged associations with figures connected to the Iranian government. However, the statement did not publicly disclose detailed evidence supporting the claims, citing security considerations.
“The Trump administration will never allow America to become a home for foreign nationals tied to anti-American terrorist regimes,” the department said, reflecting a broader policy direction aimed at tightening immigration controls in cases involving national security concerns.
The move marks the latest in a series of actions taken by the U.S. government targeting individuals with alleged links to Iran’s political and military establishment. Observers say such measures are part of a wider strategy to increase pressure on Tehran by restricting the presence of individuals perceived to have connections to its leadership or affiliated institutions.
Just a week earlier, Secretary Marco Rubio approved similar actions affecting other Iranian nationals with familial ties to senior figures in Iran. Among them were the niece and grandniece of Qasem Soleimani, the late commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020.
Also affected in the earlier round of revocations was Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, daughter of Ali Larijani, a former Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, along with her husband, Seyed Kalantar Motamedi. Their legal status in the United States was similarly terminated, according to government officials.
The U.S. government has long designated elements of Iran’s security apparatus, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as terrorist organizations, and has imposed extensive sanctions targeting Iranian officials and institutions. The latest actions appear to extend that policy framework into immigration enforcement, particularly where individuals are suspected of maintaining ties—direct or indirect—to sanctioned entities.
Legal experts note that while the U.S. government has the authority to revoke lawful permanent residency under certain conditions, such actions typically require administrative and judicial review. The individuals affected are expected to face immigration proceedings, during which they may contest the allegations and seek relief under U.S. law.
Human rights advocates have, in similar cases, raised concerns about due process and the potential for guilt by association, especially when actions are based on familial or indirect connections rather than proven involvement in unlawful activities. They argue that transparency and adherence to legal standards are critical in ensuring fairness in such proceedings.
Meanwhile, analysts say the move could further strain already tense relations between the United States and Iran, particularly at a time when diplomatic engagement between the two nations remains limited. The decision may also have implications for Iranian nationals residing in the U.S., especially those with connections—real or perceived—to government or military figures in Tehran.
For now, the three individuals remain in ICE custody as their cases proceed through the immigration system. U.S. authorities have indicated that additional actions could follow if further cases involving similar concerns are identified.
The development highlights the intersection of immigration policy and national security considerations, as the U.S. government continues to take a stringent approach toward individuals it believes may pose risks due to their affiliations or associations.
