Afghan Veteran Dies in ICE Custody After Brief Detention

An Afghan man who served with U.S. special forces and had sought asylum in the United States died in ICE custody in Dallas less than 24 hours after his arrest outside his apartment. Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, 41, reportedly had no known health conditions and had been granted humanitarian parole that expired last August. He complained of shortness of breath and chest pains during a medical intake, was taken to a Dallas hospital, and died after CPR was performed; the Dallas County Medical Examiner had not yet listed a cause of death. Paktyawal’s death is the 12th detainee death in ICE custody this year and has sparked grief in the Afghan diaspora in Texas. Advocates say he served alongside U.S. forces; AfghanEvac provided a certificate of service, though DHS says he did not report military service upon entry.