An Afghan man who aided US forces died less than a day after being detained by ICE, prompting demands for a transparent investigation into his death.
WASHINGTON: An Afghan man who worked alongside US Army Special Forces died in a Texas hospital less than a day after being taken into US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, the agency confirmed on Sunday.
Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, 41, was evacuated to the United States in 2021 and his asylum case remained pending, according to the resettlement group AfghanEvac.
ICE stated that Paktyawal was arrested in a targeted enforcement action on Friday and was taken to Parkland Hospital in Dallas after complaining of shortness of breath and chest pains.
The agency reported that early on March 14, medical staff noted his tongue had become swollen while he was eating breakfast, prompting an emergency response.
After multiple lifesaving efforts were attempted, Paktyawal was declared deceased at 9:10 am, though ICE did not specify a cause of death.
The agency stated his passing is under active investigation and noted he did not report any prior medical history upon his arrest.
AfghanEvac president Shawn VanDiver called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his detention, medical care, and death, including oversight by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General and Congress.
Paktyawal was a father of six with the youngest being 18 months old, his family said in a statement shared by the advocacy group.
His family expressed shock, stating they could not understand how it happened as he was only 41 years old and was a strong and healthy man.
The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination denounced ICE last week for excessive use of force during immigration enforcement operations, noting at least eight people have died during ICE operations or in its custody since January.
ICE said Paktyawal entered the United States in August 2021 and that the duration of his parole expired in August 2025.
The agency added that Paktyawal was arrested twice last year for fraud and theft related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food benefits to low-income families.
AfghanEvac said those arrests did not result in criminal charges and that Paktyawal had not been convicted of any crimes based on currently available information.
Hundreds of thousands of Afghans worked for foreign forces and embassies during the 20-year foreign presence, with many fearing it made them a target for violence.
The United Nations has reported extrajudicial killings and disappearances of former Afghan officials under the Taliban authorities, despite an amnesty declaration.
More than 190,000 Afghans have been resettled to the United States since the Taliban takeover, according to the US State Department.
 The Sun Malaysia
