Afghan Asylum Seeker Dies in ICE Custody
Analysis based on 9 articles · First reported Mar 15, 2026 · Last updated Mar 16, 2026
The death of Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal in United States — United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody has raised significant concerns about the agency's practices and the broader implications of Donald Trump's immigration policies. This event could lead to increased scrutiny of government agencies and potentially impact public sentiment towards immigration policies, though direct financial market impact is limited.
Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan asylum seeker and former special forces soldier who worked alongside US Army Special Forces, died in United States — United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on March 14, 2026, less than 24 hours after being detained in Texas. Paktyawal, a father of six, was arrested outside his Dallas-area apartment while taking his children to school. He had been living in Richardson, Texas, with his family while his asylum case was pending, having been evacuated from Afghanistan in 2021 after the Taliban takeover. ICE stated that Paktyawal complained of shortness of breath and chest pains during his medical intake and was transported to Parkland Hospital, where he later died after medical staff noted his tongue had swollen. His family and the advocacy group AfghanEvac have called for an immediate and independent investigation, questioning the circumstances of a healthy 41-year-old dying so quickly in government custody. This marks at least the 12th death in ICE custody this year under Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, which has seen a significant increase in detentions and deaths.
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