Afghan US Military Interpreter Dies After ICE Detention in Texas
An Afghan immigrant, whose family stated he had served alongside US military forces in Afghanistan, has died at a Texas hospital following his detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Officials confirmed the death of Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, 41, who passed away at Parkland Hospital in Dallas on Saturday, just one day after being taken into custody.
Circumstances of the Death
The cause of death remains pending investigation. However, Paktyawal's family has expressed shock and confusion, asserting that he was in good health prior to his detention. "We still cannot understand how this happened. He was only 41 years old and was a strong and healthy man. His children keep asking when their father will come home," the family said in a statement.
According to ICE, Paktyawal was arrested on September 16 for fraud against SNAP, the government's primary food aid program, and again on November 1 for theft. He was taken into custody during a targeted enforcement action on Friday, and at the time of processing, he did not report any prior medical issues.
Medical Emergency in Custody
ICE reported that Paktyawal began experiencing shortness of breath and chest pains on Friday night while in a processing hold room at an ICE field office in Dallas. He was promptly transported to Parkland Hospital, where he received treatment and was kept overnight. On Saturday morning, while eating breakfast, staff noticed his tongue had become swollen. Medical personnel performed multiple lifesaving efforts, but Paktyawal died at 9:10 a.m. ICE stated that his passing is currently under active investigation.
Background and Asylum Case
Paktyawal had previously worked with US military special forces in Afghanistan. Following the US troop withdrawal and Taliban takeover in August 2021, he came to the United States as a refugee. According to #AfghanEvac, a San Diego-based group assisting Afghans who aided the US during the war, Paktyawal had been living in Richardson, a Dallas suburb, with his family while his asylum case was pending. He was married and had six children.
Rising Deaths in ICE Custody
Deaths in ICE custody have increased significantly during Trump's second term. The agency reported 14 custody deaths from the start of the fiscal year on October 1 through January 6, putting it on track to surpass the previous 12-month total of 24. In comparison, ICE reported 12 custody deaths in the 2024 fiscal year and 12 combined over the prior three years.
ICE has expanded its detention capacity, with the number of detainees rising from about 40,000 at the start of Trump's second term to over 70,000. The agency plans to spend $38.3 billion to increase capacity to 92,600 beds by the end of November, including the use of converted warehouses that can house up to 10,000 detainees each.
