Afghan Refugee Dies in US ICE Custody Day After Detention Outside Dallas Home

Nazir Paktiawal, a 41-year-old Afghan refugee and former collaborator with US special forces, died on March 14, 2026, less than 24 hours after being detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents outside his home in Dallas, Texas.

Paktiawal was detained on March 13 while dropping off or preparing his children for school. He reportedly informed relatives he felt unwell shortly after detention and was transferred to a hospital, where he died hours later. He had been resettled in the US after serving alongside US forces and following the 2021 return of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to power. Paktiawal was a father of several children and a member of the Afghan community in Dallas.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Texas called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his detention and death. Mustafa Carroll, executive director of CAIR Texas, stated that every person in detention must be treated with dignity, security and respect, especially during Ramadan.

The AfghanEvac organization also highlighted the incident. Shawn Vandiver, head of AfghanEvac, noted that Paktiawal had fought alongside US special forces, received commendations and was detained in front of his children.

US ICE, in a statement, said Paktiawal had a criminal history, including an arrest on September 16, 2025, for fraud in a food assistance program and another on November 1, 2025, for theft. ICE added that he reported no medical history or health problems at the time of detention and registration, and investigations into his death are ongoing.

Advocacy groups have noted increased detentions of Afghan asylum seekers amid intensified US immigration enforcement. According to a Reuters report cited by ToloNews, this was at least the 12th death in ICE custody this year.