Afghan National Dies in ICE Custody in Dallas, Sparking Calls for Investigation
Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, a 41-year-old Afghan national, died on Saturday, March 14, in a Dallas hospital, less than 24 hours after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Richardson, Texas. Paktiawal, a husband and father of six, had been paroled into the U.S. in 2021 following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. His death marks the 12th detainee death in ICE custody this year.
Detention and Medical Events
Paktiawal was detained by ICE agents on Friday, March 13, near his home in Richardson, a Dallas suburb. His family reported that the arrest occurred while he was preparing to take his children to school and was witnessed by his wife and children.
According to ICE, Paktiawal did not report any prior medical history when taken into custody. However, later on the evening of March 13, while in an ICE Dallas Field Office processing hold room, Paktiawal complained of shortness of breath and chest pains. Emergency Medical Services were contacted, and he was transported to Parkland Hospital in Dallas. There, he received a breathing treatment, and an emergency room doctor recommended hospital observation.
On the morning of Saturday, March 14, medical staff at the hospital observed Paktiawal's tongue had become swollen while he was eating breakfast. He received an epinephrine drip, and medical staff initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Despite multiple resuscitative efforts, Paktiawal was pronounced dead at 9:10 a.m. An initial report from the Dallas County Medical Examiner did not list a cause or manner of death.
Background and Immigration Status
Paktiawal and his family were evacuated from Afghanistan in August 2021 under Operation Allies Refuge, following the U.S. military withdrawal and the Taliban's return to power. ICE stated that the duration of his humanitarian parole was set to expire on August 20, 2025. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also indicated in one report that his humanitarian parole expired in August of the previous year. His family stated he had a pending asylum case and believed he was in the country legally after undergoing interviews, fingerprinting, and screening.
According to his family and advocacy groups like AfghanEvac, Paktiawal was a former Afghan special forces soldier who served alongside U.S. Army special forces for over a decade, beginning around 2005. His brother, Naseer Paktiawal, stated he possesses documents and a badge supporting his military service. ICE and DHS stated that upon entering the U.S., Paktiawal provided no record of military service, though AfghanEvac later provided a certificate of service.
ICE stated that Paktiawal had a criminal history, including arrests last year for SNAP fraud and theft charges in the Dallas area. The Dallas County District Attorney confirmed these arrests but stated Paktiawal had not been convicted in either case by the time of his death. His family has disputed the accuracy of this information. In a statement, ICE described Paktiawal as a "criminal illegal alien from Afghanistan."
Paktiawal was the primary provider for his wife and six children, including an 18-month-old, and worked at an Afghan halal market in the Dallas area. His family reported he had no known health conditions prior to his detention.
Official Statements and Calls for Investigation
ICE stated that Paktiawal's death is under investigation. The agency affirmed its commitment to ensuring a safe, secure, and humane environment for those in custody.
"No one in ICE custody is denied access to proper medical care... This is the best healthcare that many aliens have received in their entire lives."
— Lauren Bis, DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary
Paktiawal's family, including his brother Naseer Paktiawal and 12-year-old son Imrain Paktiawal, have expressed a desire for answers regarding the circumstances of his death. Advocacy groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations – Texas (CAIR-Texas) and AfghanEvac, have called for a full and transparent investigation.
"It is highly unusual for a healthy 41-year-old man to die within a day of being taken into government custody."
— Shawn VanDiver, President of AfghanEvac
Community Reaction and Broader Context
The death has caused grief and concern within the Afghan diaspora community in Texas. Rahmanullah Zazy, a local Afghan community leader, expressed concern about the circumstances. Over 100 members of the Afghan community gathered outside Parkland Hospital on Saturday, requesting to see Paktiawal's body, but hospital officials stated it could not be released pending an autopsy. Members of the community expressed fear and a desire for justice, advocating for a halt to arrests of Afghan individuals.
Paktiawal's death occurs amid intensified immigration enforcement efforts, with the number of people detained by ICE reaching approximately 68,000 in early February. In 2023, 31 individuals died in ICE custody, which was a two-decade high.