Trump Supporter Stands His Ground — Even as ICE Takes Wife
A Trump flag waved above the California home as federal agents hauled a mother away.
Arpineh Masihi, an Iranian-born refugee who's lived in the U.S. since she was 3 years old, was detained by ICE over a petty theft charge from 15 years ago. Her children watched from the doorway. Her husband, Arthu Sahakyan, a proud Trump supporter, didn't take down the flag, not even after she was gone.
A Family Torn by Policy
Masihi's green card was reportedly revoked years ago after she was accused of stealing an item valued at "less than $200," according to The Independent. Though a minor offense, it has had major consequences. Federal immigration agents detained her on June 30, 2025, amid a broader crackdown on Iranian nationals living in the U.S. — a move that followed recent U.S. military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. The timing of these arrests has added a layer of complexity and emotional strain for those families affected, caught between national security policies and personal hardship.
Sahakyan's steadfast loyalty to Trump, despite his wife's detention, highlights a striking emotional dissonance. He insists that the Trump administration's actions are aimed at protecting the country, even as he grapples with the personal cost. The red, white, and blue Trump 2024 flag reportedly flying outside their home remains a symbol of his continued support, a gesture that friends have urged him to reconsider but he refuses to take down. Sahakyan told Fox 11 in Los Angeles, "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," as reported by The Independent.
The Broader Context of Enforcement
Masihi's case is not isolated. Across the country, dozens of Iranian nationals legally residing in the U.S. have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the wake of heightened tensions with Iran. These arrests come after the U.S. military's June 22 bombing of three key nuclear sites in Iran, a move that escalated fears of retaliatory attacks and prompted a surge in immigration enforcement targeting Iranians.
The Department of Homeland Security has issued warnings about a heightened threat environment, citing concerns over Iranian sleeper cells and sympathizers potentially mobilizing violence on U.S. soil. This has led to increased security measures at public events, especially around patriotic holidays like the Fourth of July, when the risk of attacks is perceived to be higher.
The Human Toll
For those families directly affected, the enforcement actions are more than statistics or policy. They are deeply personal. Masihi's detention has left her husband and their four children in a state of uncertainty and emotional distress. Surveillance footage captured the moment Masihi was taken away, reportedly showing her exchanging a final kiss with her children before officers led her away.
Sahakyan told Fox 11, "Trump is not trying to do anything bad," as reported by The Independent. "We understand what he's doing. He wants the best for the country," he told the outlet. "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."
The Complexity of Loyalty and Loss
Sahakyan's continued support for Trump, even as his family suffers under the administration's immigration policies, reveals the complicated nature of political loyalty.
The Trump administration's immigration crackdown has set records for the number of people held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, with more than 56,000 immigrants reportedly detained nationwide. According to The Independent, nearly half of those detained have no criminal record, and fewer than 30 percent have been convicted of crimes, raising questions about the balance between security and humanitarian concerns.
National Security and Community Impact
The crackdown on Iranian nationals is part of a broader national security strategy amid escalating tensions with Iran. Officials warn that the threat of attacks by Iranian sleeper cells inside the U.S. has never been higher, especially following the recent airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites. The Department of Homeland Security has urged vigilance among border and immigration officials, noting that thousands of Iranian nationals have entered the U.S. illegally in recent years, some potentially linked to hostile activities.
This heightened alert has led to increased security at public events and transportation hubs, with law enforcement agencies preparing for potential lone wolf attacks or coordinated efforts by extremist groups. Fourth of July celebrations, a time of national pride and unity, became a focal point for security concerns, illustrating how geopolitical conflicts ripple into everyday American life.
Navigating the Emotional Landscape
Sahakyan's loyalty to Trump runs deep. It's stitched into the flag flying outside his home, fluttering above the driveway where his wife was taken away in handcuffs. And it's wrapped in the hope that the same system that tore his family apart might one day give them peace.
But for all Sahakyan's belief in the system, the system hasn't believed in Masihi.
As the nation debates borders, threats, and who gets to stay, Sahakyan's family is living out the consequences in real time, grieving, waiting, and still flying the flag.
References: Husband says he will continue to back Trump despite ICE detaining his Iranian wife | Americans at July 4th celebrations warned of lone wolf terrorist threat | Sleeper cells: threat of Iranian attacks in US 'has never been higher'
