US Revokes Green Card and Detains Family Ties to Iranian Political Figures
The U.S. government has revoked the green card of Seyyed Eissa Hashemi and detained his family, citing their connections to the Iranian regime. The State Department confirmed the family’s detention, revealing that Hashemi, known for his ties to notable Iranian political figures, and his family are facing deportation.
Background of Seyyed Eissa Hashemi
Seyyed Eissa Hashemi is the son of Masoumeh Ebtekar, a prominent Iranian politician. Ebtekar gained international notoriety as the spokesperson for the group of students who stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979, leading to the prolonged hostage crisis. Ebtekar’s political career has included roles such as Vice President for Women and Family Affairs from 2017 to 2021 and two terms leading the Ministry of Environment in Iran.
Official Statements on Family Detention
Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the family’s presence in the U.S., stating that their residency represents an undue privilege. He emphasized that America should not harbor individuals who support anti-American activities, reaffirming a strong stance against foreign nationals linked to terrorism.
Immigration Journey of Hashemi’s Family
Hashemi and his family entered the United States on visas issued in 2014 and achieved legal permanent status through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program in 2016. This program was terminated by the Trump administration, which later faced backlash after high-profile incidents involving individuals who received visas through it.
Trump’s Efforts to End the Diversity Lottery
Following a 2017 terrorist attack by Saifululo Saipov, who was admitted to the U.S. via the lottery system, President Trump called for Congress to abolish the program. Although congressional action was lacking, Trump announced his decision to terminate the Diversity Lottery in April 2020; however, a federal judge overturned this ban in September of that year, only for Trump to reinstate it again in December 2025.
Recent Iranian Deportations During Trump’s Administration
Hashemi’s family is part of a broader trend of Iranian nationals facing deportation under the Trump administration. Recently, Hamide Soleimani Afshar, the niece of the slain Iranian Revolutionary Guards Major General Qassem Soleimani, and her daughter were detained in Los Angeles after their residency status lapsed. The U.S. government has publicly condemned Soleimani Afshar for her support of Iran’s authoritarian regime.
Ongoing Political Tensions and High-Stakes Negotiations
Amid these developments, the U.S. State Department has revoked the legal residence status of Fatemeh Ardeshir Larijani, daughter of former Iranian security chief Ali Larijani. Alongside these actions, U.S. officials including Vice President J.D. Vance and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff participated in crucial negotiations in Islamabad regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran. A major focus of discussions involves ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open for international oil transport, amidst tensions that have effectively blocked passage through this critical route.
