The death of a 41-year-old Afghan asylum seeker shortly after being taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has triggered widespread concern and calls for an independent investigation.
Detained and died within hours
The deceased, identified as Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, was detained on March 13 in Richardson, Texas, as he reportedly left home to drop his children at school.
According to his family, less than 24 hours later, they were informed that he had been rushed to hospital, where he died. They described him as a healthy individual and a devoted father of six.
ICE cites medical emergency
In a statement, ICE said Paktyawal complained of chest pain and shortness of breath during processing. He was taken to Parkland Hospital, where his condition reportedly worsened, including swelling of the tongue.
Despite medical intervention, he was declared dead the following morning.
Advocacy groups raise concerns
Advocacy organisations, including AfghanEvac and the Afghan-American Foundation, have questioned the circumstances surrounding his death.
They argued that Paktyawal, who had reportedly worked alongside US forces in Afghanistan, deserved proper care and dignity. Representatives also disputed ICE’s characterisation of him as a “criminal”, stating that he had never been formally charged or convicted.
Activists described the incident as a possible failure of duty of care, emphasising that it is unusual for a healthy individual to die within such a short time after detention.
Family seeks answers
Paktyawal’s family expressed shock and grief, stating that his children witnessed his arrest and are struggling to understand his sudden death.
“We cannot understand how this happened,” they said, calling for clarity and accountability.
Wider concerns over immigration policies
The incident comes amid intensified immigration enforcement measures in the United States, with a significant rise in detention numbers.
Rights groups have warned about the treatment of detainees, particularly asylum seekers and refugees, and have called for stronger safeguards and oversight.
Paktyawal’s death has added urgency to these concerns, with advocacy groups demanding transparency and a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to his death.