Afghan Illegal Immigrant Dies in ICE Custody in Dallas, Prompting Investigation
Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, a 41-year-old Afghan man classified by authorities as an illegal immigrant with multiple prior criminal arrests, died on March 14 at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Paktiawal had been taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody just one day earlier during a targeted enforcement operation. Medical staff declared him deceased at 9:10 a.m. local time after he experienced severe chest pains and shortness of breath while held at an ICE field office.
Paktiawal’s criminal record includes arrests for SNAP (food stamp) fraud and theft in late 2025. Authorities noted he did not disclose any previous health issues when processed into ICE custody. Emergency services were contacted late on March 13 due to his rapidly deteriorating condition. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under active investigation, with ICE and local officials seeking to understand whether adequate medical care was provided while he was detained.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the treatment and health monitoring of detainees within U.S. immigration enforcement facilities. It raises potential scrutiny over medical protocols and the oversight of individuals held in ICE custody—an issue that impacts immigrant communities and law enforcement agencies alike. The death also may influence future detention policies and ICE enforcement practices.
Local authorities, ICE officials, and medical investigators are expected to release further details as they probe the factors contributing to Paktiawal’s unexpected death. The case underscores the complexities and humanitarian considerations involved in managing detainee health during immigration enforcement operations.
