Mohammad Nazir Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan refugee and father of six, died less than a day after being detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in North Texas.Paktyawal was detained outside his home in Richardson, Texas, on the morning of March 13 as he was preparing to take his children to school. According to his family, soon after his arrest he called his brother and said that he was unwell and in pain.That same night, ICE officials said he complained of shortness of breath and chest pain at a processing facility and was taken to a Dallas hospital. By the next morning, his condition had worsened with reports of a swollen tongue, and despite medical efforts, he was declared dead on 14 March.The exact cause of death is being investigated.
‘I just want answers’: the family’s grief and anger
Paktyawal’s death has left his family devastated and they are searching for answers.His 12-year-old son, Imran, expressed his grief in simple but powerful words: “He was a hero… and he will always be a hero,” he told CBS News.“I just want answers for my father… I want to know why he died. He was healthy,” he said. His brother, Naseer Paktyawal, recalled their last conversation, saying that Mohammed seemed frightened and repeatedly said that he was not well.Naseer told The Independent, “He was my best friend since birth… They took everything from me, from his family, from those six children.” “No one is answering… why did he die?” He said.The family say they were given no clear explanation about his detention or the circumstances that led to his death.
Increasing numbers in ICE custody
Paktyawal’s death is one of a growing number of deaths occurring in ICE custody. He is reportedly the 12th detainee to die this year, a sharp increase in total deaths in custody compared to previous years.Amid a surge in the number of people detained due to stricter immigration enforcement, 31 detainees are expected to die in 2025, the highest number in two decades.
Questions on legal status and allegations
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Paktyawal entered the United States legally in 2021 under the humanitarian parole program following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. His temporary status expires in August 2025.He was arrested in Texas on charges of fraud involving food assistance benefits and theft, authorities said. However, officials confirmed that these cases had not been adjudicated at the time of his death.His family disputes his description as a criminal and insists that he was in the process of seeking asylum and had followed legal procedures.
A life shaped by war and migration
Paktyawal’s family says he spent nearly a decade serving with the US military in Afghanistan, including in dangerous areas such as Paktika province. Following the Taliban takeover in 2021, he and his family were evacuated to the US, where he rebuilt his life by working in a bakery while awaiting the outcome of his asylum application.While US officials say they have no record of his military service, his family has presented documents and personal accounts to support their claim.Paktyawal’s death has intensified scrutiny of ICE detention practices, particularly around medical care and transparency.For now, Paktyawal’s family says their only demand is clarity.
