Death of Afghan War Ally in ICE Custody Raises Concerns

Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan man who served alongside U.S. military forces, died on March 14, 2026, less than 24 hours after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Richardson, Texas. Paktyawal was arrested while preparing to drop his six children off at school, an event witnessed by his family. His death has prompted calls for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his detention and medical care.

InquisitrAl Jazeera (website)Afghan Who Worked With US Forces Dies in ICE CustodyKDFW - Fox 4 - Dallas-Fort WorthNewsweekAfghan Refugee Who Aided U.S. Forces Dies in ICE Custody at Texas HospitalNBC NewsAfghan man who worked with US military dies after less than a day in ICE custodyAfghan Man Who Assisted US Military Dies in ICE Custody

Paktyawal worked with U.S. Army Special Forces in Afghanistan for over a decade, beginning in 2005. He was evacuated to the U.S. in August 2021 amid the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan and had been living in Texas while his asylum case was pending. According to the advocacy group AfghanEvac, Paktyawal had a valid work authorization and was complying with immigration procedures. His humanitarian parole had expired in August 2025, but he had not been convicted of any crimes despite previous arrests for alleged SNAP fraud and theft.

Afghan man who worked with US military dies after less than a day in ICE custodyCNNAfghan Who Worked With US Forces Dies in ICE CustodyNBC NewsUSA TodayAfghan who died in ICE custody worked with US forces in Afghanistan, advocacy group saysNewsweekAfghan Man Who Assisted US Military Dies in ICE CustodyAl Jazeera (website)

• March 13, 2026: Paktyawal was detained by ICE agents at approximately 7 a.m. while taking his children to school.

KDFW - Fox 4 - Dallas-Fort Worth

• March 13, 2026: Later that evening, Paktyawal began complaining of shortness of breath and chest pains while in ICE custody and was transported to Parkland Hospital in Dallas.

KDFW - Fox 4 - Dallas-Fort Worth

• March 14, 2026: While eating breakfast at the hospital, medical staff noted that his tongue had swollen. Despite multiple lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced dead at 9:10 a.m.

Afghan who died in ICE custody worked with US forces in Afghanistan, advocacy group says

ICE described Paktyawal as a "criminal illegal alien" and cited his previous arrests as justification for his detention. However, AfghanEvac and family members have disputed this characterization, emphasizing that he had not been convicted of any crimes. Shawn VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac, stated, “It is not normal for a healthy 41-year-old man to die within a day of being taken into government custody.” The family expressed their grief, stating, “We still cannot understand how this happened. He was only 41 years old and was a strong and healthy man.”

Inquisitr

Advocacy groups, including AfghanEvac and the Afghan-American Foundation, have called for a full investigation into Paktyawal’s death, highlighting concerns about the treatment of immigrants in ICE custody. They argue that Paktyawal's death reflects a broader issue of inadequate medical care and oversight within the immigration detention system. Critics have pointed out that Paktyawal's military service and legal status should have afforded him better treatment.

Afghan Who Worked With US Forces Dies in ICE CustodyAfghan Man Who Assisted US Military Dies in ICE CustodyNBC NewsAfghan man who worked with US military dies after less than a day in ICE custodyThe HillUSA TodayKHOU - Houston NewsAfghan who died in ICE custody worked with US forces in Afghanistan, advocacy group says

While ICE claims Paktyawal did not report any prior medical history at the time of his arrest, family members assert that he was healthy before his detention. Additionally, the agency's statement regarding his criminal history has been challenged, as records indicate that he was never convicted of the charges cited by ICE.

NewsOne

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that Paktyawal's death is under active investigation. Advocacy groups are pushing for oversight from Congress and the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General to ensure transparency and accountability in the investigation.

KDFW - Fox 4 - Dallas-Fort Worth

The death of Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal has raised significant concerns regarding the treatment of Afghan allies in the U.S. immigration system, particularly in light of the increasing number of deaths in ICE custody. As calls for an independent investigation grow, the case underscores the urgent need for reforms in how immigrants, especially those who have served alongside U.S. forces, are treated within the immigration detention system.

Afghan Who Worked With US Forces Dies in ICE Custody