Overview
- Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, 41, was detained in Richardson, Texas, on March 13 and taken to Parkland Hospital after reporting shortness of breath; he was pronounced dead at 9:10 a.m. on March 14, with autopsy results pending.
- ICE says his humanitarian parole expired on Aug. 20, 2025, and cites arrests for SNAP fraud and theft; local officials confirm an indictment and a pending case but no convictions at the time of his death.
- Family members and advocates say he was evacuated under Operation Allies Refuge and served with Afghan special forces alongside U.S. troops, a claim DHS says it cannot verify from its records.
- Relatives allege he was denied access to his inhaler while in custody; ICE says detainees receive comprehensive medical care and confirms an active investigation and notifications to next of kin and the Afghan consulate.
- His death is the 12th in ICE custody this year, following a two-decade high of 31 deaths in 2025, which has fueled renewed calls for independent review of detention conditions.