An Afghan national has d!ed in a hospital in Dallas less than 24 hours after being taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to the agency on Sunday, March 15. The incident has sparked renewed calls for a thorough investigation.
The deceased, 41-year-old Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, previously worked with United States Army Special Forces during the war in Afghanistan. He was evacuated to the United States in 2021, where his asylum application remains pending, according to AfghanEvac, an organisation that supports the resettlement of Afghan evacuees in the US.
ICE stated that Paktyawal was arrested during a targeted enforcement operation on Friday, March 13. Shortly after being taken into custody, he was transported to Parkland Hospital after reporting symptoms of shortness of breath and chest pain.
In a statement, the agency said: “Early March 14, Paktyawal was eating breakfast when medical staff noted that his tongue had become swollen, prompting a medical response. After multiple lifesaving efforts were attempted, he was declared deceased at 9:10 am,”
ICE noted that the exact cause of death has not yet been determined and confirmed that the matter is currently being investigated. The agency also stated that Paktyawal did not disclose any previous medical conditions at the time of his arrest.
Meanwhile, AfghanEvac has called for an independent inquiry into the situation. Its president, Shawn VanDiver, said: “AfghanEvac is calling for an immediate and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his detention, medical care, and death, including oversight by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General and Congress,”
Paktyawal leaves behind six children, with the youngest just 18 months old, according to a statement released by his family through AfghanEvac.
His family said: “We still cannot understand how this happened. He was only 41 years old and was a strong and healthy man,”
Last week, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination criticised ICE for what it described as the “excessive use of force during immigration enforcement operations,” noting that at least eight individuals have died either during ICE operations or while in ICE custody since January.
ICE said Paktyawal entered the United States in August 2021 and that the humanitarian parole granted to him expired in August 2025.
The agency further stated that he had been arrested twice in the previous year in connection with alleged fraud and theft involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to low-income households.
However, AfghanEvac said the arrests did not lead to any criminal charges and that available records show Paktyawal had not been convicted of any offences.