Afghan National Dies in ICE Custody One Day After Detention

An Afghan national who fought alongside U.S. forces died from an allergic reaction while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody one day after detention for deportation proceedings. Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, 41, suffered an adverse drug reaction to an unidentified substance that triggered anaphylaxis and worsened his asthma, according to his death certificate.

Background on detention Paktiawal was arrested at his home in Richardson, Texas, on March 13 while preparing his six children for school. ICE said he had pending criminal charges for food stamp fraud and theft, though neither case had resulted in a conviction.

He had entered the United States through a legal process after evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021 and had an asylum claim pending at the time of arrest.

Medical details and family response ICE stated that Paktiawal was screened at its Dallas field office and reported no medical conditions or allergies. Hours later he experienced shortness of breath and chest pain, leading to transport to Parkland Memorial Hospital.

Hospital staff administered epinephrine the next morning after noting tongue swelling, but he was pronounced dead about 40 minutes later. The death certificate listed anaphylaxis complicating acute asthma exacerbation as the cause, with toxic effects of methamphetamine, heart disease, and cigarette smoking noted as contributing factors.

Relatives said they were unaware of methamphetamine use, and a second autopsy requested by the family could not confirm its presence due to lack of remaining blood samples. Paktiawal's wife stated that ICE agents declined an inhaler she attempted to provide at the time of arrest.

Records request An advocacy group and two members of Congress requested release of the autopsy report on Monday. Dallas County officials have declined to release the document, citing a pending federal investigation and seeking permission under a law enforcement exception to state open records law.