Mohammed Nazeer Paktiawa, a 41-year-old Afghan father of six, died at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas on March 14, 2026, while in ICE custody.
Courtesy of GoFundMe
A 41-year-old Afghan father of six living in North Texas died Saturday, less than a day after he was taken into immigration custody.
Mohammed Nazeer Paktiawal was detained outside his home in Richardson after dropping his kids to school on Friday, CBS reported. According to the Department of Homeland Security, he was arrested during a targeted enforcement action.
“In the late evening of March 13, ICE contacted Emergency Medical Services when Paktiawal began complaining of shortness of breath and chest pains while in an ICE Dallas Field Office processing hold room,” DHS said in a statement. “He was immediately transported to Parkland Hospital and received breathing treatment. The ER doctor recommended that he remain in the hospital for observation.”
DHS said the next day, Parkland medical staff noticed Paktiawal’s tongue was swollen while he was eating breakfast. He was pronounced dead at 9:10 a.m. on Saturday after multiple lifesaving attempts by the hospital. The agency said Paktiawal did not report any prior medical history, adding that his death is under active investigation.
Federal authorities said Paktiawal had been arrested twice last fall, on a felony charge of SNAP fraud and a theft charge. The Star-Telegram could not independently verify his criminal record.
Paktiawal had served alongside U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan and entered the U.S. seeking asylum on Aug. 21, 2021, during the Taliban takeover. DHS said an immigration officer paroled him into the U.S. and the parole expired on Aug. 20, 2025.
In a statement, the Council on American Islamic Relations urged the government to do a “full, transparent investigation” into Paktiawal’s death.
“This tragedy comes during the final days of Ramadan, the most sacred time of the month when Muslims reflect on mercy and justice,” said Mustafaa Carroll, CAIR-Texas DFW executive director. “Detention does not erase a person’s humanity. Every individual in custody must be treated with dignity, safety, and respect.”
Mohammed Nazeer Paktiawa, 41, died at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas on March 14, 2026, while in ICE custody. AfghanEvac said Paktiawal served alongside the U.S. military in Afghanistan and was evacuated to the U.S. after the Taliban takeover in 2021. Courtesy of GoFundMe
The American Immigration Council, an advocacy group for immigration policy and immigration rights, said that at least six people have died in ICE Custody in 2026. Paktiawal’s death would be the seventh.
AfghanEvac, a nonprofit that formed in 2021 to work with the U.S. government to help resettle Afghan allies, said in a statement on social media that Paktiawal served with American forces beginning in 2005 in Paktika province. He and his family were evacuated by the U.S.
“His family deserves answers,” AfghanEvac President Shawn VanDiver said in a statement. “The American public deserves answers. The U.S. service members who fought alongside Afghan partners deserve answers. AfghanEvac is calling for an immediate and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his detention, medical care, and death, including oversight by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General and Congress.”
A GoFundMe was set up to help his family with expenses to help pay for food, legal fees and other support.
“Nazeer leaves behind six children, three girls and three boys, who depended on him for everything,” the GoFundMe said. “His absence has created an overwhelming burden for his loved ones, who are now facing not only the pain of losing him but also the uncertainty of how to move forward.”
A DHS statement said “ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments.” The agency said all people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screenings within 12 hours of arriving at a detention facility.
This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 4:48 PM.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Fousia Abdullahi is a Fort Worth Star-Telegram news reporter who covers suburban cities including Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine and Keller. She enjoys reading and attending local events. Send tips by email or phone.