ICE Detains Afghan Veteran; Dies in Texas Custody

An Afghan asylum seeker who had worked alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan died just over 24 hours after being taken into ICE custody in Texas, sparking outrage and calls for investigation.

“Afghan who died in ICE custody worked with US forces in Afghanistan, advocacy group says Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal died March 14 after one day in custody, ICE said”

ABC News

Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, 41, was arrested around 7 a.m. on March 13, 2026, outside his Richardson apartment while preparing to drive his children to school, according to family members and advocacy groups.

ABC News

Federal agents in unmarked vehicles surrounded him and took him into custody in front of his six children, with the family stating that moment will stay with them forever.

Paktyawal contacted relatives from detention later that day saying he was not feeling well, and was transported to Parkland Hospital in Dallas around 11:45 p.m. after complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath.

Despite receiving medical treatment and being kept overnight for observation, he died the following morning at 9:10 a.m. when medical staff noticed his tongue had swollen during breakfast, according to ICE's account.

Paktyawal served as an Afghan Special Forces soldier alongside U.S. Army Special Forces for more than a decade, beginning in 2005 in Paktika province, a Taliban stronghold in southeastern Afghanistan.

He was evacuated to the United States in August 2021 following the U.S. military withdrawal and Taliban takeover, as his military service made him vulnerable to reprisals.

ABC13 Houston

The father of six children, including an 18-month-old infant, was the primary provider for his family while living in Richardson, Texas, working at an Afghan halal market and bakery.

Despite having a pending asylum application that had completed an interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Paktyawal held valid work authorization and a social security number according to advocacy groups.

His family described him as 'a loving husband and father' who 'worked hard every day to take care of them and build a future for them in the United States,' with his children adoring him.

Paktyawal's death is part of a concerning pattern of ICE custody deaths that have soared during President Trump's second term, with at least 12 people dying in ICE custody so far in 2026.

“Washington, DC – Advocacy groups are calling for answers after an Afghan asylum seeker in the United States died just hours after being taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents”

Al Jazeera

This figure surpasses the 2024 total of 11 deaths and represents a significant increase from previous years, with ICE reporting only 12 custody deaths in the entire three-year period before 2024.

The agency has dramatically expanded its detention capacity, holding more than 70,000 people compared to about 40,000 at the start of Trump's second term, and plans to spend $38.3 billion to boost capacity to 92,600 beds by November 2026.

These statistics reflect Trump's broader immigration crackdown and mass deportation campaign, which has particularly impacted the Afghan community.

More than 70,000 Afghans entered the United States under Biden's Operation Allies Welcome initiative, but Trump's administration has moved to terminate temporary protected status for about 14,600 Afghans, opening them up to deportation.

A significant controversy has emerged around ICE's characterization of Paktyawal as a 'criminal illegal alien from Afghanistan' with a 'known criminal history.'

While ICE stated Paktyawal was arrested for SNAP fraud on September 16, 2025, and theft on November 1, 2025, advocacy groups AfghanEvac and family members emphasized that these arrests did not result in criminal convictions and he had not been convicted of any crimes.

Associated Press

The family disputed ICE's characterization, with his brother describing him as a 'hero' who survived the war in Afghanistan.

ICE also claimed Paktyawal's parole expired in August 2025, but advocates clarified he held valid work authorization and a pending asylum case at the time of his death.

This discrepancy highlights the tension between enforcement narratives and the reality of many immigrants' situations, particularly those who have served alongside U.S. forces and are now facing detention under Trump's policies.

The death has had a profound impact on Paktyawal's family and the Afghan diaspora community in Texas.

“News Flash WASHINGTON, United States, March 16, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An Afghan man died in a Texas hospital less than a day after being taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, the agency said on Sunday, prompting calls for an investigation”

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)

His family expressed heartbreak and confusion, stating 'We still cannot understand how this happened. He was only 41 years old and was a strong and healthy man. His children keep asking when their father will come home.'

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)

The family is now trying to comfort six children who have lost their father, with one child being an American citizen.

The incident has sparked widespread grief in the close-knit Afghan community in Texas, where more than 190,000 Afghans who fled after the Taliban takeover have settled.

Community leader Rahmanullah Zazy commented, 'They're saying they took our community member alive to the detention center, and now we are getting the dead body. We want peace.'

The trauma of witnessing their father's arrest has left lasting scars on the children, as the family noted that moment 'will stay with them forever.'

The incident has prompted widespread calls for investigation and has intensified scrutiny of ICE practices under the Trump administration.

Advocacy group AfghanEvac, led by U.S. Navy veteran Shawn VanDiver, has called for an immediate and transparent investigation into Paktyawal's death, noting it is 'highly unusual for an otherwise healthy 41-year-old man to die less than a day after being taken into government custody.'

The family has demanded answers about what happened between Paktyawal's detention and his hospitalization, and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General has been called upon to conduct an independent investigation.

VanDiver emphasized that 'Mr. Paktyawal survived our war in Afghanistan and trusted the United States enough to rebuild his life here,' adding that 'his family deserves answers. The American public deserves answers.'

The death has also drawn international attention, with the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recently denouncing ICE for 'excessive use of force during immigration enforcement operations,' noting at least eight people have died during ICE operations or in custody since January.