An Afghan immigrant, Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, died in a Texas hospital after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The incident has raised significant concerns among advocates for Afghan evacuees and local lawmakers regarding the treatment of individuals in immigration custody.
### Circumstances of Detention
Paktyawal, who had previously served with U.S. military special forces in Afghanistan for over a decade, was arrested on a food stamp fraud charge and for alleged theft. According to ICE, he had multiple run-ins with the law, including a fraud case involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and a theft charge in Garland, Texas. These allegations have been contested by his family and advocacy groups, who argue that he was unfairly labeled a criminal without a conviction.
On Friday, Paktyawal was detained by ICE, where he underwent a medical intake exam. During this process, he reported experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain. He was subsequently transferred to Parkland Hospital in Dallas for treatment. Despite the medical intervention, he passed away less than 24 hours after being taken into custody.
### Advocacy Response
The San Diego-based group #AfghanEvac, which helps resettle Afghans who supported U.S. efforts in Afghanistan, has criticized ICE’s characterization of Paktyawal. Shawn VanDiver, president of the organization, emphasized the need for transparency, stating, “The government should be explaining how a 41-year-old father of six died less than 24 hours after entering ICE custody.” Family members reported that Paktyawal was healthy prior to his detention, raising further questions surrounding the circumstances of his death.
A statement from his family expressed their profound sorrow and confusion over the situation, noting the impact on his six children who are left wondering when their father will return home.
### Medical Investigation
As of now, the cause of Paktyawal’s death remains under investigation by the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office. The details surrounding his condition leading to demise have prompted a deeper review of medical care standards within ICE facilities. Lauren Bis, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, asserted that no individual in ICE custody is denied proper medical care, a statement that has not alleviated skepticism regarding treatment protocols.
Local lawmakers have also voiced their concerns. U.S. Representative Julie Johnson, who visited the Dallas ICE office where Paktyawal was held, criticized the agency for what she termed a history of “lying and misrepresenting” individuals it detains. Johnson challenged the characterization of Paktyawal as a dangerous criminal, describing him instead as a family provider and contributor to the economy.
### Ongoing Legal Issues
Paktyawal’s legal troubles included a pending felony charge regarding food stamp fraud of $200 or more. There are also accusations related to theft on a lesser scale involving unpaid groceries from a local Walmart. These ongoing cases highlight the complex legal circumstances facing many immigrants in detention, further complicating the narrative of criminality that officials have purported.
His family maintains that Paktyawal applied for asylum in the U.S. and that his application was still active. However, ICE claims that he had missed critical appointments related to his asylum case, a statement that has yet to be substantiated by his advocates.
### National Trends in Detention
Paktyawal’s death is one of several incidents that have raised alarms about the increasing number of fatalities in ICE custody. Reports indicate that such deaths have risen sharply during recent years, particularly during the Trump administration, which saw a rise in the number of individuals detained by ICE—from approximately 40,000 to over 70,000.
The agency is under scrutiny as it plans an expansion of its capacity, set to accommodate over 92,600 detained individuals by the end of November, reflecting a substantial increase in immigration enforcement priorities.
As the investigation into Paktyawal’s death continues, questions about the welfare and treatment of those held in immigration detention remain at the forefront of public discourse. Advocacy groups are calling for thorough reviews of policies regarding medical treatment and the criteria under which individuals are detained, particularly among those who served alongside U.S. forces during the Afghanistan conflict.
Source: Original Reporting
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