Federal agents arrested three Iranian nationals after the State Department revoked their green cards Saturday, targeting individuals with direct family ties to Iran's revolutionary regime from the 1979 hostage crisis.
The State Department terminated the legal permanent resident status of Seyed Eissa Hashemi, whose mother served as the Iranian regime's spokesperson during the 444-day hostage crisis that crippled Jimmy Carter's presidency. Authorities also revoked green cards for Hashemi's wife and son, according to the department's announcement.
The arrests represent the most direct action against Iranian regime-connected individuals living in America since recent ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The timing suggests the administration is taking a harder line on Iranian nationals with documented connections to the Islamic Republic's security apparatus.
Federal agents also detained two other Iranian nationals with family connections to high-ranking Iranian military generals and security officials, though the State Department did not immediately release their identities. All three arrests occurred after their green card revocations took effect.
The move signals a more aggressive approach to screening Iranian nationals already living in the United States. Green card holders typically enjoy broad legal protections, making revocation rare and reserved for cases involving national security concerns or criminal activity.
Hashemi's mother played a central role in the Iran hostage crisis that began November 4, 1979, when Iranian revolutionaries stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans captive for 444 days. As the regime's spokesperson during those negotiations, she became one of the most recognizable faces defending Iran's actions to international media.
The State Department's action comes as Congress debates Iran policy following recent Middle East tensions. The administration faces pressure from both parties to take tougher steps against Iranian influence operations on American soil, particularly those involving regime-connected families who obtained U.S. residency status.
Immigration experts say the revocations suggest federal agencies conducted extensive background reviews that uncovered previously unknown or undisclosed family connections to Iranian security services. Green card holders must disclose foreign government ties during the application process.
The arrests will likely intensify scrutiny of other Iranian nationals with permanent resident status, particularly those who emigrated during or after the 1979 revolution. Federal counterintelligence agencies have long warned about Iranian efforts to place operatives or sympathizers in positions where they could access sensitive information or influence U.S. policy.
Watch for additional State Department actions against Iranian nationals in coming weeks, as officials indicated this represents part of a broader review of regime connections among permanent residents.
