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Afghan Asylum Seeker Dies in ICE Custody, Sparks Outrage

3/19/2026

26 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan immigrant, died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Texas less than 24 hours after his arrest.
His family says he had been healthy and had sought asylum since arriving in the United States in 2021.
Advocacy groups are demanding an investigation, citing concerns about his treatment and noting at least seven ICE custody deaths have been reported in Texas this year.

History

Historical Context

In 2019, the U.S. faced intense scrutiny over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices after the American Civil Liberties Union reported at least 24 deaths in custody, raising alarms about inadequate healthcare. The recent death of Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, who fell ill shortly after arrest, underscores ongoing concerns about treatment in detention facilities, highlighting systemic issues and the urgent need for immigration reform.

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Story summary

Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan immigrant, died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Texas less than 24 hours after his arrest.
His family says he had been healthy and had sought asylum since arriving in the United States in 2021.
Advocacy groups are demanding an investigation, citing concerns about his treatment and noting at least seven ICE custody deaths have been reported in Texas this year.

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