A California man is standing firm in his political beliefs, even after immigration officers took his wife into custody, despite her long-standing support for former President Donald Trump. Arpineh Masihi, an Iranian immigrant who moved to the U.S. as a toddler, was detained by ICE officers on June 30, 2025, in Diamond Bar, California. Despite being a vocal Trump supporter, Masihi found herself caught in a wave of mass detentions targeting Iranian nationals.
Masihi, who has lived in the U.S. for nearly her entire life, had her green card revoked over 15 years ago following a theft conviction. Since then, she had been trying to regain her legal status and frequently checked in with immigration officials. However, with tensions between the U.S. and Iran rising after U.S. military actions against Iranian nuclear sites in late June, Masihi was detained alongside over 130 other Iranian nationals, according to federal sources.
Her husband, Arthu Sahakyan, shared his disbelief and sadness with local news outlets, stating, “We supported Trump in the last election. We gave our kids MAGA hats. We wave the flag.” Despite their strong political affiliation, ICE arrived at their home, where a massive “Keep America Great” Trump flag proudly flies outside. Before being taken away, Masihi kissed her children goodbye, and they haven’t seen her since.
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While Sahakyan is clearly missing his wife, he has expressed his continued support for U.S. immigration policies. “I’m very for the U.S. vetting Iranian nationals because of the sleeper cells,” he said, referencing the broader political context that led to his wife’s detention. Despite the personal toll, Sahakyan does not blame Trump. “Trump is not trying to do anything bad,” he added. “He wants the best for the country. I’m just trying to make the best of it.”
As for the pro-Trump flag, Sahakyan has refused to take it down, despite pressure from friends. “I’m still supporting Trump,” he asserted. “Even though my friends say, ‘Take the flag down, you’re going through a lot,’ I’m like, ‘No, the flag stands.’”
Masihi, now in her 40s, is reportedly being transferred to a different detention facility, and she has expressed growing concerns about her future in the U.S. During a tearful phone call, she admitted, “I’m on the list to be going to a different facility,” while voicing her fears for what comes next.
This story highlights the complexities of U.S. immigration policy, the clash between personal political beliefs and government actions, and the uncertainty faced by individuals living in the country for much of their lives.
