Unsettling Tensions in Diamond Bar: A Trump Family Faces an Unexpected ICE Raid
In the quiet suburb of Diamond Bar, California, a family that proudly displayed a towering “Keep America Great” flag has suddenly found themselves thrust into a national controversy.
The wife, an Iranian-born woman who has lived in the U.S. nearly her entire life, was detained in a sweeping federal immigration raid.
What seemed like a straightforward enforcement action now raises uneasy questions: Was this a routine crackdown or something far more complicated, possibly tangled with politics and prejudice?
As whispers grow louder and neighbors exchange uneasy glances, the community—and even close friends—wonder what really lies beneath the surface.
Standing Firm Amid Heartbreak: Trump Supporters in the Crosshairs
Arpineh Masihi, a longtime resident of Diamond Bar, was taken into custody on June 30 in a raid targeting over 130 Iranian nationals amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Despite fleeing Iran as a child and spending nearly her entire life in America, Arpineh’s green card had been revoked some 15 years ago due to a theft conviction. Since then, she’s worked with immigration authorities, striving to restore her legal status.
Her husband, Arthu Sahakyan, describes the harrowing moment when ICE agents arrived at their home—adorned with a massive Trump flag—and took Arpineh away while she tearfully kissed their children goodbye. Even as their family reels from the loss, their political loyalty remains unshaken.
“We backed Trump in the last election,” Arthu said. “Our kids wear MAGA hats. We fly that flag proudly.” Yet, he acknowledges the harsh reality that allegiance offered no shield.
The timing was particularly striking. Just days after the U.S. conducted military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, federal authorities intensified their immigration sweep, sweeping Arpineh into custody. Despite the personal anguish, Arthu insists on supporting stricter vetting protocols.
“I believe in securing our borders, especially with concerns about sleeper cells,” he told reporters. “It’s painful, but maybe necessary.”
He stands by former President Trump, rejecting accusations of malice. “Trump wants what’s best for the country. I’m just trying to navigate through this storm.”
Meanwhile, Arpineh faces an uncertain future, recently informed she will be transferred to another detention center. Speaking through tears in a phone interview, she expressed the loneliness and fear gripping her.
Defiance in the Face of Adversity
Despite pressure from friends and neighbors to take down the politically charged flag, Arthu remains resolute. “I’m still a Trump supporter,” he said firmly. “Even when people tell me to take it down because of what we’re going through, I say no. The flag stays up.”
Reflecting on Resilience and Responsibility
From the profound sorrow of a mother’s final weeks to the steadfast resolve of families caught in the crossfire of politics, these stories weave a complex portrait of human endurance amid systemic failures and societal tensions. Whether it’s confronting terminal illness, standing by deeply held beliefs during hardship, or witnessing the neglect of vulnerable wildlife, each narrative demands that we face uncomfortable truths about justice, empathy, and action.
These accounts don’t merely inform—they challenge us to listen more closely, to question more deeply, and to act with compassion. Because silence and passivity in the face of suffering carry their own heavy costs, and sometimes the first step toward meaningful change begins with the courage to speak up.
