Secretary of State Marco Rubio has terminated the lawful permanent resident status of three Iranian nationals connected to Masoumeh Ebtekar, the English-language spokeswomen for the militants who seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979, placing them in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement pending removal from the United States.
The individuals — Seyed Eissa Hashemi, Maryam Tahmasebi, and their son — are directly connected to Ebtekar, who became known to many Americans as 'Screaming Mary' during the 444-day Iran Hostage Crisis. Ebtekar later served as Iran's Vice President for Women and Family Affairs from 2017 to 2021.
What the Left Is Saying
Civil liberties advocates and some immigration attorneys are raising concerns about the scope of the enforcement action, questioning whether family members should be held accountable for the actions of relatives. Critics note that Hashemi and Tahmasebi themselves were not accused of any crime in the United States, and some observers warn that broad enforcement against relatives could set a problematic precedent.
Progressive lawmakers and activists have also pointed to the due process implications of revoking green cards, noting that lawful permanent residents typically have rights to contest such actions. Some immigration advocates argue the administration is using national security justifications to pursue a broader anti-immigration agenda.
Democratic members of Congress have previously expressed concerns about the administration's use of executive authority in immigration enforcement, arguing that such decisions should involve more robust judicial oversight rather than administrative revocation.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative lawmakers and national security analysts are praising the action as a necessary enforcement of immigration law and a clear message that the United States will not be a haven for individuals connected to hostile foreign governments. Supporters argue that anyone with ties to terrorist organizations or regimes that hold American citizens hostage should not receive the privilege of living in the United States.
Senator Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, said: 'This is exactly what the Trump administration should be doing. America First means protecting American citizens and our immigration system from those who would do us harm.'
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the effort as a 'top priority,' particularly in cases involving fraud or national security concerns. The administration has indicated this represents a broader pattern of targeting individuals in the U.S. with ties to Tehran's ruling apparatus.
Conservative commentators have noted that it took too long for the family to be placed in removal proceedings, with some arguing that the Obama-era visa approvals represented a failure of vetting. The Washington Free Beacon reported that critics had been calling for federal authorities to review such cases for months.
What the Numbers Show
The 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis lasted 444 days, with 52 Americans held captive at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The crisis remains one of the most significant events shaping U.S.-Iran relations, with its anniversary still commemorated annually in Washington.
Masoumeh Ebtekar served as the English-language spokeswomen for the hostage-takers, chosen for her fluent English and familiarity with American culture. She has never expressed regret for her role in the crisis, according to reports.
The three individuals had received visas during the Obama administration before obtaining green cards through the Diversity Visa Program, according to the State Department. The family lived in Los Angeles County, with Hashemi working as a psychology professor.
The Trump administration has deported dozens of Iranian nationals over the past year, with hundreds more potentially facing removal as enforcement ramps up.
The Bottom Line
The revocation of green cards represents one of the most high-profile enforcement actions against individuals connected to Iran's former revolutionary government. The administration has signaled it will continue targeting those with ties to Tehran's ruling apparatus, suggesting more similar actions could follow.
The case raises broader questions about immigration enforcement against family members of foreign officials, the vetting of visa applicants with connections to hostile governments, and the balance between national security priorities and due process rights. Watch for potential legal challenges to the removal orders, which could test the boundaries of executive authority in immigration enforcement.