Full Breakdown
Afghan Asylum Seeker Dies in ICE Custody: Calls for Investigation
3/17/2026, 1:18:04 AM
Incident Overview
Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan immigrant who had worked with U.S. military forces, died less than 24 hours after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Richardson, Texas. His death on March 14, 2026, has raised significant concerns and calls for investigation from advocacy groups and his family, who assert that he was a healthy individual prior to his detention.
Paktyawal was arrested during a targeted enforcement action while taking his six children to school. According to ICE, he was detained for alleged fraud related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and had a previous arrest for theft. However, his family and advocacy groups, such as AfghanEvac, contest the characterization of Paktyawal as a "criminal illegal alien," emphasizing that he had not been charged or convicted of any crimes.
Medical Emergency and Death
Following his arrest, Paktyawal began to experience shortness of breath and chest pains while in an ICE processing hold room. He was transported to Parkland Hospital, where he was kept overnight for observation. On the morning of March 14, hospital staff noted that his tongue had swollen while he was eating breakfast, prompting emergency medical intervention. Despite multiple attempts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead at 9:10 a.m.
The cause of death remains undetermined, and an autopsy is pending. ICE has stated that Paktyawal did not report any prior medical history at the time of his arrest.
Advocacy and Community Response
Paktyawal's death has sparked outrage within the Afghan community in Texas, where many Afghans who fled the Taliban's resurgence have resettled. Advocacy groups are demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his detention and medical care. Shawn VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac, highlighted the unusual nature of a healthy 41-year-old man dying shortly after being taken into custody, calling it indicative of a failure in the duty of care by ICE.
Community members gathered outside the hospital to mourn and demand justice, expressing fears for their safety amid increasing scrutiny and enforcement actions against Afghan nationals under the Trump administration's immigration policies.
Broader Context
Paktyawal's death is part of a troubling trend, with at least 12 deaths reported in ICE custody this year alone, a significant increase compared to previous years. The agency has faced criticism for its handling of detainees, particularly amid a surge in detentions linked to the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies. The number of individuals in ICE custody has risen dramatically, with plans to expand detention capacity further.
The situation has drawn attention to the precarious status of many Afghans in the U.S., particularly those who assisted U.S. forces during the two-decade military engagement in Afghanistan. Advocacy groups argue that the current immigration policies have created an environment of fear and uncertainty for these individuals, many of whom are seeking asylum and protection from potential reprisals by the Taliban.
Conclusion
The death of Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal raises critical questions about the treatment of detainees in ICE custody and the broader implications of U.S. immigration policy on vulnerable populations. As investigations proceed, the Afghan community and advocacy groups continue to seek accountability and justice for Paktyawal and others affected by similar circumstances.
