An Afghan asylum-seeker died in ICE custody in North Texas. Here's what to know

Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan father of six who served alongside U.S. forces before fleeing the Taliban in 2021, died March 14 in ICE custody at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. His family and lawmakers continue to demand answers about the circumstances of his detention and death.

Here are key takeaways:

• An Afghan father of six who fled the Taliban in 2021 died in ICE custody in Dallas less than a day after being detained outside his Richardson home on March 13. Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal complained of shortness of breath and chest pains before being taken to Parkland Hospital, where he was pronounced dead Saturday, March 14 at 9:10 a.m.
• AfghanEVAC President Shawn VanDiver said Paktyawal “was not illegal” because Paktyawal had pending asylum status when ICE detained him. His wife tried to give ICE officers his inhaler when he was picked up, but they refused, and federal authorities cited a criminal history including an unconvicted SNAP fraud indictment and a theft charge.
• Paktyawal’s newly-released death certificate attributes his death to an allergic reaction causing anaphylaxis and asthma complications, while also listing methamphetamines and adverse drug reaction as factors. His family disputes this. The certificate lists his illness beginning March 12, a day before he was taken into ICE custody, raising questions from Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Julie Johnson.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.