Afghan ally and father of six dies in ICE custody after Texas arrest

A 41-year-old Afghan wartime ally and father of six, Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, died in federal ICE custody in Dallas less than 24 hours after an arrest in Richardson, Texas. He reportedly experienced chest pains, was transported to Parkland Hospital, and died there the next morning with the cause of death still under investigation. ICE characterized the arrest as a targeted enforcement action tied to past alleged SNAP fraud and theft, but Paktyawal had not been convicted and held valid work authorization with a pending asylum case. The DHS OIG has been asked to conduct an independent investigation into his detention and death as advocates seek answers.