Dallas, United States. An Afghan immigrant who previously worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody less than 24 hours after being detained in Texas, according to a U.S. veteran-led advocacy group.
Detention and death
AfghanEvac said Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, 41, was living in a Dallas suburb with his wife and six children while his asylum case was pending. AfghanEvac president Shawn VanDiver said Paktyawal was arrested by federal agents outside his apartment on Friday morning while taking his children to school.
VanDiver said Paktyawal died of unknown causes on Saturday.
ICE account of medical response
In a statement on Sunday, ICE said Paktyawal was eating breakfast when medical staff noted that his tongue had become swollen, prompting a medical response. ICE said he was declared dead after multiple attempts at resuscitation.
ICE said it “is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments.”
Family notification and call for investigation
According to VanDiver, Paktyawal’s family was told he was taken to a hospital in Dallas on the night of his arrest and was still alive the following morning, but died shortly after. AfghanEvac called for an immediate investigation.
“It is highly unusual for an otherwise healthy 41-year-old man to die less than a day after being taken into government custody,” VanDiver said.
Context on ICE detention deaths and immigration policy
VanDiver said Paktyawal is at least the 12th person to die in ICE detention this year under U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Last year, 31 people died after being detained by ICE, a two-decade high. The source text said ICE has played a central role in Trump’s policy of mass deportations.
Background
VanDiver said Paktyawal was a former Afghan special forces soldier who worked alongside U.S. Army Special Forces since 2005. He was evacuated from Afghanistan with his family in 2021 when the United States withdrew its forces after a war lasting two decades, VanDiver said.
What steps should be taken to ensure timely medical care for people held in immigration detention?