Afghan Man Dies in ICE Custody, Leaving Behind Family

Community mourns loss and seeks answers after 41-year-old's sudden death in detention

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:35pm

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A 41-year-old Afghan man named Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal died less than 24 hours after being detained by ICE agents outside his home in Richardson, Texas. His death has left his wife and six children grieving and the local community searching for answers about the circumstances surrounding his sudden passing while in custody.

Why it matters

Paktyawal's death has raised concerns within the Afghan immigrant community in the Dallas-Fort Worth area about the treatment of detainees in ICE custody and the impact on families when a primary breadwinner is suddenly taken from them.

The details

ICE says Paktyawal complained of chest pain and trouble breathing while in custody and was taken to a hospital, where he died the next morning after medical staff noticed his tongue had swollen. Community leaders say they have "thousands of questions" about what happened in the time between his detention and his transfer to the hospital.

  • Paktyawal was detained by ICE agents outside his Richardson home.
  • Paktyawal died less than 24 hours after being taken into ICE custody.

The players

Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal

A 41-year-old Afghan man who died less than a day after being detained by ICE, leaving behind a wife and six children.

Asadullah Noorza

A leader in the Dallas-Fort Worth Afghan community who is helping the Paktyawal family and raising questions about the circumstances surrounding Paktyawal's death.

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What they’re saying

“We have thousands of questions and no answer yet.”

— Asadullah Noorza, Community Leader

“People are coming from different cities throughout Texas just to comfort the family and stand with them in this moment of grief.”

— Asadullah Noorza, Community Leader

What’s next

Community groups are now helping with the Paktyawal family's asylum case and raising money to support the family after losing their sole provider.

The takeaway

Paktyawal's sudden death in ICE custody has left his family devastated and the local Afghan community demanding answers about the circumstances surrounding his passing. This tragic case highlights the human impact of immigration enforcement policies and the need for greater transparency and accountability around the treatment of detainees.