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Afghan asylum seeker and former U.S. military ally dies less than 24 hours after ICE detention in Texas

Mar 14, 2026 · Texas, TX, Afghanistan

Afghan asylum seeker and former U.S. military ally dies less than 24 hours after ICE detention in Texas

Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan asylum seeker and former Afghan special forces soldier who worked with U.S. military forces, died on March 14, 2026, less than 24 hours after being detained by ICE in Richardson, Texas while dropping off his children at school. Paktyawal had entered the U.S. legally in 2021 through Operation Allies Refuge and was awaiting an asylum decision; his temporary parole status had expired in August 2025. During ICE custody on March 13, he complained of shortness of breath and chest pain during a medical intake exam and was taken to Parkland Hospital in Dallas. The following morning, his tongue swelled and medical staff administered epinephrine and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation before he was pronounced dead at 9:10 a.m. The exact cause of his death remains unknown to his family, with results pending from the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office. His 12-year-old son and brother have publicly sought answers about his death.

Timeline

Mar 14, 2026Paktyawal's tongue swelled during morning at hospital; medical staff administered epinephrine and performed CPR; pronounced dead at 9:10 a.m. at Parkland Hospital
Mar 14, 2026Cause of death remains pending from Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office; family reports no clear answers provided about death
Mar 13, 2026Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal detained by ICE near his home in Richardson, Texas while dropping off his children at school; later complained of shortness of breath and chest pain during ICE medical intake exam
Mar 13, 2026Paktyawal called his brother stating he was unwell and in pain; ICE transported him to Parkland Hospital in Dallas after complaints of respiratory and chest symptoms

Sources

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