Afghan father, former U.S. military ally, dies in ICE custody in North Texas

An Afghan father who served with U.S. forces died in immigration custody lower than a day after being arrested in North Texas.

Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal‘s household mentioned he was within the nation legally after serving alongside the U.S. army in Afghanistan and evacuating to the U.S. in 2021. Based on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the 41-year-old had a felony historical past and his momentary authorized standing had expired.

Afghan father arrested by ICE in North Texas  

Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal’s brother, Naseer Paktiawal, mentioned that on March 13, whereas dropping off his youngsters in school, Nazeer Paktiawal was detained by ICE agents close to his house in Richardson, Texas, and brought into custody. 

“He was arrested in entrance of those youngsters whereas taking them to highschool at 7 within the morning. Some folks surrounded him, put him within the automobile, and drove him away whereas they had been screaming, asking for assist,” Naseer Paktiawal mentioned. 

Lower than 24 hours later, Naseer Paktiawal obtained a name that his brother was lifeless.  

Immigration standing and repair with U.S. forces  

When he arrived to the U.S. in 2021, in line with ICE, Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal “was paroled into the U.S. by an immigration officer,” or given momentary permission to enter and stay within the U.S. underneath the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Refuge. The company mentioned he offered no file of his army service.

ICE mentioned the period of his parole expired on Aug. 20, 2025.

Naseer Paktiawal mentioned his brother, a husband and father of six, had a pending immigration case.   

Based on his brother, earlier than emigrating, Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal was employed by the U.S. authorities as a member of Afghan particular forces and labored alongside them for over a decade.   

“He was a hero to his household, to his folks, and to his nation,” Naseer Paktiawal mentioned about his brother.  

ICE confirms custody and hospitalization  

ICE confirmed that Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal had been in custody for at some point earlier than he was declared lifeless at Parkland Hospital in Dallas.

In an announcement, ICE confirmed that Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal was arrested on March 13. The company additionally mentioned that Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal had a felony historical past, together with being charged with SNAP fraud of $200 or extra by the District Lawyer’s workplace in Dallas on Sept. 16, 2025, and an arrest for theft on Nov. 1, 2025, for which he was launched on bail. ICE mentioned neither case had been heard by the point of his loss of life. 

ICE mentioned when Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal was taken into custody, he “didn’t report any prior medical historical past.”

Within the late night of Friday, March 13, ICE mentioned it contacted Emergency Medical Providers when Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal started complaining of shortness of breath and chest pains whereas in an ICE Dallas Subject Workplace processing maintain room. ICE mentioned Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal was taken to Parkland Hospital, the place he obtained a respiratory remedy and the ER physician beneficial that he keep within the hospital for remark.

Early on March 14, Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal was consuming breakfast when medical workers famous that his tongue had develop into swollen, and he obtained an epinephrine drip, ICE mentioned in its assertion.

Based on ICE, later that day, medical workers started cardiopulmonary resuscitation. After a number of lifesaving efforts had been tried, he was declared lifeless at 9:10 a.m. ICE mentioned Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal’s loss of life is underneath investigation.

“All I would like,” mentioned Naseer Paktiawal, “I would like justice for my brother. I do not want anything from this authorities.” 

“This tragedy comes in the course of the closing days of Ramadan, essentially the most sacred time of the month when Muslims mirror on mercy and justice,” mentioned Mustafaa Carroll, the DFW Govt Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations – Texas. “Detention doesn’t erase an individual’s humanity. Each particular person in custody have to be handled with dignity, security, and respect. We name on authorities to make sure a full and clear investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Paktiawal’s detention and loss of life.”    

“Nobody in ICE custody is denied entry to correct medical care,” Division of Homeland Safety Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis mentioned in an announcement. “It’s a longstanding follow to offer complete medical care from the second an alien enters ICE custody. This consists of medical, dental, and psychological well being companies as out there, and entry to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. That is one of the best healthcare that [sic] many aliens have obtained of their complete lives.”    

CBS Information Texas has not but been in a position to verify the felony historical past data offered by ICE.

The neighborhood has began a fundraising marketing campaign to assist pay for funeral bills and assist the household throughout this time.