Tragic Death of Afghan Asylum Seeker in ICE Custody Raises Concerns
An Afghan immigrant who had previously worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan and was seeking asylum in the United States passed away in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Texas less than a day after being detained. Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, 41, was arrested outside his apartment in a Dallas suburb while taking his children to school. He died of unknown causes, becoming the 12th person to die in ICE detention this year. ICE has been a key player in President Trump's immigration policies, leading to a record number of detentions.
Paktyawal, a former Afghan special forces soldier who had collaborated with U.S. Army Special Forces, was evacuated from Afghanistan with his family in 2021 following the U.S. military withdrawal after a 20-year war. He was the main provider for his family, including an 18-month-old child, and had been working at an Afghan halal market in the Dallas area. The circumstances surrounding his sudden death less than a day after being taken into custody have raised concerns, prompting calls for an immediate investigation.
The number of individuals detained by ICE has surged during Trump's immigration crackdown, with approximately 68,000 people in custody as of early February. Under President Biden's Operation Allies Welcome initiative, over 70,000 Afghans entered the U.S. following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in 2021. However, U.S. agencies under Trump have moved to end temporary protected status for around 14,600 Afghans, potentially exposing them to deportation.
The tragic death of Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal highlights the challenges faced by immigrants seeking asylum in the United States and the risks associated with detention by immigration authorities. As the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, advocacy groups are calling for a thorough investigation to determine the cause and prevent similar incidents in the future.