Afghan Father and Former US Ally Dies in ICE Custody After Texas Arrest
In a tragic incident that has raised questions about immigration enforcement, 41-year-old Mohammed Nazeer Paktyawal, an Afghan father who worked with US forces in Afghanistan, died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody within a day after being arrested in North Texas. Paktyawal had been living in Texas since 2021 while his asylum application remained pending with the administration.
Arrest and Rapid Deterioration of Health
According to reports, Paktyawal was detained around 7 am on March 13 outside his apartment in the Dallas area as he was preparing to drop his children off at school. He had been working at an Afghan bakery to support his family. After his arrest, Paktyawal contacted his family from detention and informed them that he was not feeling well. His condition worsened rapidly, leading to his admission to a hospital at 11:45 pm that same day.
The next morning, relatives were told he was under treatment, but by noon on March 14, they received the devastating news that Paktyawal had died. He leaves behind a wife and six children, one of whom is a US citizen.
Background: A Decade of Service with US Forces
Who was Mohammed Nazeer Paktyawal? According to the advocacy group AfghanEvac, Paktyawal began serving in the Afghan army in 2005. He served for more than a decade as an Afghan special forces soldier. During the war in Afghanistan, he worked closely alongside units of the US Army Special Forces, including the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), in Paktika province.
As US forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, his family was evacuated by the US. He entered the United States through Washington Dulles International Airport on August 21, 2021, where he was paroled into the country by an immigration officer, according to ICE records. His parole authorization was set to expire on August 20, 2025.
Immigration Status and Legal Proceedings
ICE stated that Paktyawal was arrested because his legal status had expired. However, AfghanEvac countered that he had completed his asylum interview and possessed valid work authorization and a Social Security number. The group emphasized that he was not in the country illegally and was actively complying with immigration formalities at the time of his arrest.
ICE further noted that Paktyawal had no recorded medical history when arrested and was immediately taken to a hospital after complaining of shortness of breath. In a statement, his brother Naseer Paktyawal said, "He was a hero to his family, to his people, and to his country," referring to his decade-long military service and collaboration with the US Army.
Previous Encounters with Law Enforcement
Records indicate that Mohammed Nazeer Paktyawal was arrested by local authorities in September 2025 on a felony charge related to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud and again in November on a theft charge. AfghanEvac clarified that these arrests did not result in criminal charges, and he was released each time.
This case highlights the complexities and human costs of immigration enforcement, particularly for individuals like Paktyawal who served as allies to the United States abroad. His death in custody is under investigation, with advocates calling for greater transparency and accountability in the treatment of asylum seekers and immigrants with pending applications.
