Latest news with #Masihi
Newsweek
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Husband Refuses To Take Trump Flags Down After Wife Detained by ICE
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A supporter of President Donald Trump has refused to take down MAGA flags outside his home even after federal agents arrested his Iranian wife. Arpineh Masihi was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Diamond Bar, California, last week, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles. However, her husband Arthu Sahakyan told the outlet: "I'm still supporting [Trump]. Even though my friends say take the flag down, you're going through a lot. I'm like no. The flag stands." Federal agents move to reopen the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Portland, Oregon, on June 28, 2018. Federal agents move to reopen the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Portland, Oregon, on June 28, 2018. Alex Milan Tracy/Sipa via AP Images Why It Matters Tensions are heightened between the U.S. and Iran after Trump ordered airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. There are growing concerns about potential terror cells that could be activated in response. More than 130 Iranian nationals were detained in the United States last week, according to Fox News. What To Know In footage obtained by Fox 11 Los Angeles, Masihi is seen going into her home to say goodbye to the couple's four children as federal agents wait outside. "She came and kissed the kids and that was it," Sahakyan told the outlet. "That was the last time we saw her." Masihi was born in Iran and arrived in the United States as a refugee when she was three years old, per the report. Her green card was revoked around 15 years ago following a theft-related conviction, it added. The family has been navigating the immigration system ever since in hopes of restoring Masihi's American citizenship, Sahakyan said. He told the outlet that his family has long supported Trump, believing his immigration policies aim to strengthen national security. However, he acknowledged that his views on the issue have shifted somewhat in light of recent events. "Trump is not trying to do anything bad," Sahakyan said, per the report. "We understand what he's doing. He wants the best for the country. I'm just trying to make the best of it. I don't want any families to go through this. If they are, I apologize for what they're going through because it's hard." What People Are Saying Arthu Sahakyan told Fox 11 Los Angeles: "I'm very for [the United States vetting] Iranian nationals because of the sleeper cells." "I think [the recent arrests of Iranians] will resolve a lot of issues because we'll know exactly who's in here for what reasons. Even though I miss [my wife] dearly. I think we could have a faster process [where they determine] she's not a radical, or tied to the crazies, let her out." Arpineh Masihi told Fox 11 Los Angeles: "I'm on the list to be going to a different facility."
Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
California man ‘still supporting' Trump after wife detained by ICE
A family in California says they still support Donald Trump, even after immigration officers showed up at their door. Arpineh Masihi and her husband, Arthu Sahakyan, are longtime Trump supporters. They backed him in the last election, flew a Trump flag outside their house, and even gave their kids MAGA hats. California man is still supporting Donald Trump after ICE officers detained his wife(Pexels) But their public support for Trump did not stop ICE from detaining Masihi, who was taken from their Diamond Bar home as part of a federal roundup of Iranian nationals, according to Fox 11. Masihi, now in her 40s, came to the US from Iran as a refugee when she was just 3 years old. Her husband told the station that her green card was taken away about 15 years ago after a theft conviction. Since then, she has been trying to get her legal status back. Also Read: Elon Musk to be deported? Donald Trump responds amid feud 130 Iranians have been picked up by ICE She had been checking in with immigration officers for years, and nothing seemed wrong. But that changed after the US struck three nuclear sites in Iran on June 21. More than 130 Iranians were picked up soon after, including Masihi, federal sources told the outlet. Sahakyan further shared that he agrees with stronger vetting of Iranian nationals. 'I'm very for [the United States vetting] Iranian nationals because of the sleeper cells,' he said. 'I think it will resolve a lot of issues because we'll know exactly who's in here for what reasons, even though I miss [my wife] dearly.' He went on to say that he does not blame Trump for what happened to his wife. 'Trump is not trying to do anything bad. We understand what he's doing,' Sahakyan said. 'He wants the best for the country. I'm just trying to make the best of it.' On June 30, ICE officers came to the couple's home, which has a 'Keep America Great' flag out front. Sahakyan said Masihi gave him a hug and 'came and kissed the kids' before going with the agents. The family hasn't seen her since. Masihi spoke with Fox 11 by phone and sounded emotional as she talked about what could come next. 'I'm on the list to be going to a different facility,' she said. Arthu Sahakyan still standing by his political beliefs Even though it has been hard for his family, Sahakyan says he is still standing by his political beliefs. He wants his wife back, but he says he understands why this happened. He also says he's not taking down their pro-Trump signs. 'I'm still supporting [Trump],' he said. 'Even though my friends say, 'Take the flag down, you're going through a lot,' I'm like, 'No, the flag stands.' '
