Today's report from Lianhe Zaobao: "After U.S. Secretary of State Rubio revoked the lawful permanent resident status of the niece and granddaughter of the late Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, U.S. federal agents arrested them."
According to a statement released by the State Department on Saturday (April 4), Reuters reported that Hamid Suleimanian Afshar and her daughter have now been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following Rubio's revocation of their green cards.
In January 2020, during his first term, President Trump ordered the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Soleimani.
Commentary: This incident is a continuation of the long-standing geopolitical maneuvering between the U.S. and Iran. By revoking green cards and arresting relatives, the U.S. applies targeted pressure on Iran’s leadership while also staging a performative display of tough foreign policy for domestic audiences. Extending the aftermath of the 2020 Soleimani attack into the realm of immigration enforcement, using family members' security as leverage in geopolitical rivalry, not only reveals the highly politicized nature of U.S. immigration policies, but also deepens the confrontation between the U.S. and Iran into the civilian and individual spheres.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861572309416971/
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