A 41-year-old Afghan man, Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, who once worked with the United States Army Special Forces, has died less than a day after being taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His sudden death has raised serious questions and prompted calls for a full investigation.
Afghan Interpreter Paktyawal Dies After Being Taken Into ICE Custody in Texas
Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan national, died at a hospital in Dallas on March 14, according to a statement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His death happened less than a day after he was taken into ICE custody. Paktyawal had worked with U.S. forces in Afghanistan and was evacuated to the United States during the 2021 withdrawal. At the time of his death, his asylum application was still pending.
Refugee support group AfghanEvac said Paktyawal had been trying to rebuild his life while waiting for a decision on his immigration status. ICE said he was arrested on March 13 during a targeted enforcement action. Soon after his arrest, he complained of shortness of breath and chest pain and was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas for medical care.
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Early the next morning, medical staff noticed his tongue had become swollen while he was eating breakfast, triggering an emergency response. Despite multiple lifesaving efforts by doctors and nurses, he was pronounced dead at 9:10 a.m. Officials said the cause of death is still unknown and the case remains under investigation.
Family and Advocacy Groups Demand Answers
Paktyawal’s death has raised serious concerns among refugee advocates and members of the Afghan community living in the United States. Many say the incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in immigration detention cases.
The nonprofit group AfghanEvac supports Afghans who assisted U.S. missions during the war. The organization has called for an immediate and thorough investigation. It wants authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding Paktyawal’s detention and medical treatment.
Leaders of the organization say officials must clearly explain what happened. They want details from the moment Paktyawal was taken into custody until he was admitted to the hospital. They are also asking authorities to review the timeline of events and the medical care he received. The group wants to know if proper procedures were followed while he was in custody.
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AfghanEvac president Shawn VanDiver has also requested oversight. He asked for involvement from the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General and the U.S. Congress. VanDiver said independent investigators should examine the case carefully. He said this is necessary to ensure transparency and determine if any mistakes or delays contributed to Paktyawal’s death.
Paktyawal’s family said they are devastated by the sudden loss. He was a father of six children. His youngest child is only 18 months old. His relatives described him as a healthy and hardworking man. They said they cannot understand how he could die so suddenly after being taken into custody.
Background of the Afghan Refugee Crisis and U.S. Resettlement
Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal’s story is linked to a wider situation involving thousands of Afghans who worked with international forces during the two-decade war in Afghanistan. Many served as interpreters, contractors, or support staff for foreign militaries, embassies, and aid organizations, helping with translation, logistics, security, and development projects.
When the Taliban returned to power in 2021 after the withdrawal of U.S. and allied troops, many of these Afghans feared retaliation because of their past work with foreign forces. In response, the U.S. government launched evacuation and resettlement programs to relocate Afghan allies and their families. According to the U.S. Department of State, more than 190,000 Afghans have been resettled in the United States since the Taliban takeover.
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Paktyawal entered the United States in August 2021 during these evacuation efforts. His humanitarian parole status reportedly expired in August 2025. ICE also stated that he had been arrested twice in 2024 over allegations related to fraud and theft involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
However, the refugee support group AfghanEvac said available information shows those arrests did not lead to criminal convictions. Human rights groups and the United Nations have also warned about risks faced by former Afghan officials and workers under Taliban rule, including reports of extrajudicial killings and disappearances despite promises of amnesty.