Afghan Father Who Fought with U.S. Military Dies in ICE Custody

Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old father of six, died less than 24 hours after being detained by ICE in front of his children outside Dallas.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 4:58am

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Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan father of six who had served alongside U.S. troops in Afghanistan, died in ICE custody less than 24 hours after being detained in front of his children outside Dallas. Paktyawal and his family had come to the U.S. in 2021 after the collapse of the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan, hoping for safety and a better life. He died at a Dallas hospital on March 14, with his family stating he was a "strong and healthy man." ICE claimed Paktyawal had a "known criminal history" but did not provide details on any convictions.

Why it matters

This case has raised concerns about the treatment of Afghan refugees who assisted the U.S. military and were later detained by ICE. It highlights questions about the immigration process for those evacuated from Afghanistan and the conditions in ICE detention facilities, which have faced widespread reports of civil rights violations and abuse.

The details

According to ICE, Paktyawal was detained on March 14 and died the next morning at a Dallas hospital. ICE claimed he had a "known criminal history" including two arrests last year for SNAP fraud and theft, but did not say if he was convicted. Paktyawal's family stated he was a "loving husband and father" who was "trying to build a peaceful life" in the U.S. after evacuating from Afghanistan.

  • Paktyawal was detained by ICE on March 14, 2026.
  • Paktyawal died at a Dallas hospital on March 14, 2026 at 9:10 a.m.

The players

Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal

A 41-year-old Afghan father of six who served alongside U.S. troops in Afghanistan and was evacuated to the United States in 2021 after the collapse of the U.S.-backed government.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency that detained Paktyawal and is investigating his death in custody.

AfghanEvac

The organization that provided a statement on behalf of Paktyawal's family.

Shawn VanDiver

The president of AfghanEvac, who stated that Paktyawal was specifically evacuated from Afghanistan by the U.S. government during its military withdrawal in 2021.

Rep. Marc Veasey

A Dallas-area Democratic congressman who visited the ICE facility where Paktyawal was detained and is demanding a "full and transparent investigation" into his death.

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What they’re saying

“Mr. Paktyawal survived our war in Afghanistan and trusted the United States enough to rebuild his life here. His family deserves answers. The American public deserves answers. The U.S. service members who fought alongside Afghan partners deserve answers.”

— Shawn VanDiver, President of AfghanEvac

What’s next

Rep. Marc Veasey has demanded a full and transparent investigation into Paktyawal's death by ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the precarious situation facing many Afghan refugees who assisted the U.S. military and were later detained by immigration authorities, raising concerns about the treatment of these vulnerable individuals and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the immigration system.