Afghan wartime ally dies in ICE custody in Richardson one day after arrest
Mar 22nd 2026 ยท United States
Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan who served with U.S. forces and is a father of six, died at Parkland Hospital less than 24 hours after being arrested by ICE in Richardson; the cause of death is under investigation.
- Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, 41, was arrested around 7 a.m. on March 13 outside his Richardson home and died in federal custody the morning of March 14.
- ICE called the arrest a targeted enforcement action citing 2025 arrests for SNAP fraud and theft, but records show Paktyawal was not convicted of those charges and advocates say he had valid work authorization and a pending asylum case.
- Paktyawal complained of chest pains Friday night while held at the ICE Dallas Field Office, was taken to Parkland Hospital for observation, and was pronounced dead at 9:10 a.m. after hospital staff noted severe tongue swelling.
- Paktyawal served with U.S. Army Special Forces in Afghanistan for more than 10 years, was evacuated to the United States in 2021, and is survived by his wife and six children, including an 18-month-old.
- The cause of death is unknown and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General has been asked to conduct an independent investigation.