Afghan Immigrant Dies in ICE Custody, Family Demands Answers

Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, 41, died a day after being detained by ICE in Texas, leaving behind six children

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:20am

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The family of an Afghan immigrant who died one day after being taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Texas says it has received no answers as to what caused the man's death. Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, 41, was detained by ICE on March 13 while getting ready to take his children to school. He died the following day in a Dallas hospital. His son and brother are now demanding answers about what happened.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of immigrants in ICE custody, with 31 detainees dying last year, a two-decade high. The family's pleas for answers also underscore the human toll of immigration enforcement policies.

The details

Paktiawal was brought to the U.S. in August 2021 through an immigration policy known as parole, which allows certain immigrants to live and work in the U.S. temporarily on humanitarian grounds. ICE said his parole status expired on Aug. 20, 2025. ICE also said Paktiawal had been arrested twice last year in the Dallas area on local fraud and theft charges, but had not been convicted in either case at the time of his death. Paktiawal's brother, Naseer, said the arrests don't tell the full story and that Paktiawal was a "wartime hero" who fought alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan for a decade before being evacuated to the U.S. in 2021.

  • On March 13, 2026, Paktiawal was detained by ICE while getting ready to take his children to school.
  • On March 14, 2026, Paktiawal died in a Dallas hospital.

The players

Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal

A 41-year-old Afghan immigrant who died in ICE custody in Texas, leaving behind six children.

Imrain Paktiawal

Paktiawal's 12-year-old son who is demanding answers about his father's death.

Naseer Paktiawal

Paktiawal's brother who is also seeking answers about his brother's death and disputing the characterization of his criminal history.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that detained Paktiawal and is investigating his death.

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What they’re saying

“I just want answers for my dad. That's it. I want to know why he died. He was healthy.”

— Imrain Paktiawal, Paktiawal's son

“Nothing, they just put him in their car and drove away. His kids were screaming, asking for help, asking question, 'Who are you guys? Why are you guys arresting my father, my dad?' No one answered those children.”

— Naseer Paktiawal, Paktiawal's brother

“My brother, he was a wartime hero and he was a soldier, a warrior alongside with U.S. Army. He was special forces in the most dangerous places in Afghanistan.”

— Naseer Paktiawal, Paktiawal's brother

What’s next

The family is awaiting the results of the investigation into Paktiawal's death, which ICE said is ongoing.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the treatment of immigrants in ICE custody, as well as the human toll of immigration enforcement policies on families and communities.