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US Revokes Green Cards of Iran-Linked Trio, Citing Regime Ties

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has terminated the lawful permanent resident status of three Iranian nationals with alleged ties to figures associated with Iran's revolutionary regime. The detainees include Seyed Eissa Hashemi, who is the son of Masoumeh Ebtekar, a spokesperson for the militants in the 1979 US Embassy hostage crisis. The action is part of a broader series of revocations targeting relatives of senior Iranian officials, including those linked to the late commander Qasem Soleimani. The State Department stated it will not allow the US to become a haven for individuals connected to what it calls anti-American terrorist regimes.

Key Points: US Revokes Iranian Nationals' Green Cards Over Regime Ties

  • Green cards revoked for three Iranian nationals
  • Detainees linked to 1979 hostage crisis figure
  • Part of broader action against Iran-linked individuals
  • Entered US during Obama administration
  • Now in ICE custody pending deportation
2 min read

Marco Rubio revokes green cards of Iran-linked trio

Marco Rubio terminates permanent residency of three Iranians linked to 1979 hostage crisis figure, leading to arrest and pending deportation.

"will never allow America to become a home for foreign nationals tied to anti-American terrorist regimes - State Department"

Washington, April 12

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has terminated the lawful permanent resident status of three Iranian nationals with alleged ties to figures associated with Iran's revolutionary regime, leading to their arrest and detention pending removal, the State Department said.

Seyed Eissa Hashemi, Maryam Tahmasebi, and their son were taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement after their legal status was revoked. Authorities said they are now awaiting deportation proceedings.

Hashemi is the son of Masoumeh Ebtekar, a controversial figure linked to the 1979 takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran. Ebtekar served as a spokeswoman for the militants involved in the hostage crisis, during which 52 Americans were held for 444 days.

According to the statement, Ebtekar acted as a "leading propagandist" for the hostage-takers, arranging staged media interactions and portraying what officials described as a misleading image of the hostages' treatment. The department said hostages were subjected to "solitary confinement, blindfolded and starved, and subjected to physical and psychological terror, including beatings and mock executions."

Ebtekar later rose within Iran's political system, holding senior government roles, including serving as a vice president between 2017 and 2021.

The three detainees entered the United States in 2014 on visas issued during the administration of former President Barack Obama. In June 2016, they were granted lawful permanent residency through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. The programme has since been suspended under the current administration.

Last week, Rubio also revoked the legal status of relatives of Qasem Soleimani, a senior Iranian military commander killed in a US strike in 2020. Hamideh Afshar Soleimani and her daughter are now in ICE custody.

The State Department also terminated the status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, daughter of Ali Larijani, a former senior Iranian official, and her husband Seyed Kalantar Motamedi. Both individuals have already left the United States and are barred from re-entry.

The department said it worked closely with the Department of Homeland Security and immigration enforcement agencies in carrying out the actions. It added that the administration "will never allow America to become a home for foreign nationals tied to anti-American terrorist regimes."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Interesting. They came in 2014 and got green cards in 2016. The timing is everything. Were the background checks not thorough enough back then? This shows how immigration policies need constant review.
A
Aditya G
As an Indian, I understand the need for security. But revoking status based on family ties, especially of the son who was a child during the hostage crisis? Feels a bit harsh. The principle of individual guilt is important.
S
Sarah B
The details about the hostage treatment are horrifying. No nation should harbor individuals connected to such acts. This is a clear message to regimes that use terror as a tool.
K
Karthik V
The Diversity Visa Program is under scanner again. While it gives opportunities, cases like this show the loopholes. Maybe a points-based system like some other countries would be more effective for skilled migrants.
N
Nikhil C
It's a complex issue. On one hand, national security is paramount. On the other, people shouldn't be punished for the sins of their parents. But when the parent is a senior official in a hostile regime, the lines blur. Tough call.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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