Dallas, TX – Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-ancient Afghan man who served alongside U.S. Special forces, died Saturday, less than 24 hours after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside of his Dallas-area apartment. His death has prompted widespread grief within the Afghan diaspora community and renewed scrutiny of ICE detention practices. Paktyawal, a father of six, had been seeking asylum in the United States since arriving in August 2021, following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
The circumstances surrounding Paktyawal’s death are currently under investigation. ICE stated that Paktyawal was arrested during a “targeted enforcement operation” on Friday, March 13 and began experiencing shortness of breath and chest pains during intake at a Dallas ICE field office. Paramedics were called, and he was transported to Parkland Hospital, where his condition deteriorated rapidly. According to ICE spokesperson Lauren Bis, Paktyawal’s tongue swelled, and he received an IV drip before ultimately dying after receiving CPR and other resuscitative efforts at approximately 9:10 a.m. Local time on Saturday. An initial report from the Dallas County Medical Examiner listed no cause or manner of death, according to CNN reporting.
Background: Service with U.S. Forces and Asylum Bid
Paktyawal’s family and advocates emphasize his decade of service alongside U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan. Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, an advocacy group assisting Afghan evacuees, described Paktyawal as a man who “fought our war for 10 years” and was legally evacuated to the U.S. After the fall of Kabul. He had been working at an Afghan bakery and had a pending asylum case, including a completed interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, according to The Independent. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Paktyawal’s humanitarian parole had expired in August 2025.
Even as, advocates clarified that Paktyawal held valid work authorization at the time of his death. ICE characterized his arrest as stemming from prior arrests in 2025 for SNAP fraud and theft, but records display he was never convicted of those charges, Fox 4 News reported. Paktyawal’s family stated he had no known health conditions prior to his detention.
Growing Concerns Over ICE Detainee Deaths
Paktyawal’s death marks the 12th of a detainee in ICE custody this year, raising serious concerns about conditions within ICE facilities and the medical care provided to detainees. The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) recently denounced ICE for “excessive use of force,” noting that at least eight people had died since January during ICE operations or while in ICE custody. This incident occurs as the current administration is on track for the deadliest year in ICE detention in more than two decades, with at least 24 deaths reported this fiscal year, according to The Independent.
The death has sparked calls for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Paktyawal’s detention, medical care, and ultimate death. #AfghanEvac is demanding accountability and transparency from ICE. “This man fought our war for 10 years,” VanDiver said. “He had six kids, one of whom is an American citizen. He was brought here by the United States of America. He’s been working hard in Texas, paying taxes … He was doing everything right.”
More than 190,000 Afghans have been resettled in the United States since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, according to the U.S. State Department. The Dallas-Fort Worth area has become a significant resettlement location for Afghan refugees, creating a close-knit community grappling with the loss of one of its own.
ICE released a statement acknowledging Paktyawal’s death and stating that the agency is fully cooperating with the investigation. The agency also noted that Paktyawal had not reported any prior medical history at the time of his arrest. However, advocates and family members question the adequacy of medical screening procedures within ICE facilities.
The incident underscores the complex challenges faced by Afghan evacuees navigating the U.S. Immigration system and the ongoing debate surrounding ICE detention policies. The investigation into Paktyawal’s death is expected to shed light on the conditions within ICE custody and the level of medical care provided to detainees. The outcome of the investigation will likely influence future policy discussions regarding immigration enforcement and detainee welfare.
As the investigation unfolds, the Afghan community in Texas and across the United States awaits answers and seeks justice for Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts and engage in respectful dialogue in the comments section below.
Disclaimer: This article provides information about a sensitive situation and should not be considered legal or medical advice. If you are experiencing emotional distress, please reach out to a crisis hotline or mental health professional.
