An Afghan migrant who served with the US military died while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after his tongue swelled up less than 24 hours after he was detained, officials said.
Mohammed Nazeer Paktiawal, 41, was detained by federal agents on March 13 while he dropped his children off at school in Texas, according to his brother, Naseer Paktiawal.
The father-of-six was taken into custody because he had a ‘known criminal history’ that included alleged Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud on September 16, 2025, and an arrest for theft on November 1, ICE said.
The agency also said that Mohammed’s temporary legal status had expired, but according to his family, he was in the country legally after serving in the US military in Afghanistan before evacuating in 2021, CBS News reported.
Just hours after his arrest, federal officers contacted Emergency Medical Services after Mohammed started to complain of chest pains and shortness of breath while locked inside the ICE Dallas Field Office processing holding room, the agency said.
From there, he was transported to Parkland Hospital, where he received a breathing treatment. He was also told he had to remain there to be monitored by a doctor, officials added.
While eating breakfast the following day, medical staff noticed that Mohammed’s tongue had swelled up.
He immediately received medical treatment, but after ‘multiple lifesaving efforts,’ Mohammed died around 9.10am.
Mohammed Nazeer Paktiawal, 41, died on March 14 while in ICE custody in Texas. He was a father to three sons and three daughters
During his arrest and processing, Mohammed ‘did not report any prior medical history,’ the agency said.
The cause of his symptoms remains unclear, and his death is under investigation, according to ICE.
Naseer said his late brother was hired by the US government as a member of the Afghan special forces and had worked alongside them for more than ten years.
‘He was a hero to his family, to his people, and to his country,’ Naseer told the outlet.
He entered America on August 21, 2021, at Washington Dulles airport in Maryland, ‘paroled into the US by an immigration officer,’ or given temporary permission to enter and remain in the country, under former President Joe Biden’s administration.
The initiative, called Operation Allies Refuge, was an evacuation effort during the 2021 Taliban offensive.
It saw more than 124,000 people, including American embassy employees, US special immigration visa applicants, and certain at-risk Afghan civilians, airlifted out of Afghanistan during the final weeks of the war.
When he entered the US, Mohammed did not provide his military record, ICE said.
Mohammed’s brother, Naseer Paktyawal, said his late brother was hired by the US government as a member of the Afghan special forces and had worked alongside them for more than ten years
His parole expired on August 20, 2025, and according to his brother, the young father had a pending immigration case.
Naseer, who launched a GoFundMe page in the wake of his brother’s death, said he just wants justice for Mohammed.
‘All I want. I want justice for my brother. I don’t need anything else from this government,’ he said.
Naseer said his brother was a father to three daughters and three sons, who he said ‘depended on him for everything.’
‘Nazeer Paktyawal was a beloved father, brother, and friend who meant the world to his family and community,’ Naseer added.
As of Monday afternoon, more than $140,000 had been raised for his grieving family.
His death has also sparked reaction across the country, as Mustafaa Carroll, the Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations – Texas, said the community is calling for a ‘full and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Paktiawal’s detention and death.’
He was taken into custody because he had a ‘known criminal history’ that included alleged Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud on September 16, 2025, and an arrest for theft on November 1, ICE said
‘This tragedy comes during the final days of Ramadan, the most sacred time of the month when Muslims reflect on mercy and justice,’ Carroll said.
‘Detention does not erase a person’s humanity. Every individual in custody must be treated with dignity, safety, and respect,’ he added.
Department of Homeland Security Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis told CBS News: ‘No one in ICE custody is denied access to proper medical care.
‘It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This includes medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. This is the best healthcare that [sic] many aliens have received in their entire lives.’
The Daily Mail contacted ICE for comment.