A 41-year-old Afghan man, Mohammed Nazeer Paktiawal, died less than a day after being detained by ICE in Texas. According to his brother, he was taken into custody near his home in Richardson while dropping his children off at school.
During processing at an ICE facility later that day, Paktiawal reportedly began suffering from chest pain and difficulty breathing. Officials transported him to Parkland Memorial Hospital, where doctors treated his respiratory symptoms and advised that he remain under medical observation.
The following morning, hospital staff noticed that his tongue had begun to swell. Despite continued treatment, his condition worsened, and he eventually went into cardiac arrest. Medical teams tried to revive him but were unable to save the Afghan man.
Paktiawal had arrived in the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Refuge. His family says he spent years working alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan before evacuating after the Taliban regained control. Relatives describe him as a dedicated husband and father who was working to establish a stable life in the United States.
ICE officials stated that his temporary humanitarian parole had expired in August 2025. The agency also reported that he had prior arrests connected to allegations of SNAP fraud and theft. Members of his family dispute parts of ICE’s description and say he still had an active immigration case pending when he was detained. Authorities have said that the circumstances surrounding his death are currently being investigated.
Internet Mourns Afghan Father’s Death in Texas
After hearing what happened, many people expressed shock, outrage, and sorrow over the death of the Afghan father. Several commenters argued that he should not have been targeted by ICE agents in Texas, especially considering his alleged past service assisting U.S. forces overseas.
Shawn VanDiver, who founded the organization AfghanEvac, also commented on the incident and expressed condolences to Paktiawal’s family. He stated that he did not intend to let the matter fade away and emphasized that the death should not be ignored.
Other internet users were also angered by the situation and criticized how ICE described Paktiawal in its statement. Some felt the agency focused too heavily on allegations of criminal history rather than acknowledging his past cooperation with U.S. forces.
Some commenters directed their criticism toward Stephen Miller, blaming him for immigration policies they believe contributed to the situation. “I hold Stephen Miller responsible. May he pay for his crimes on earth or in cosmic karma, first option is preferred,” one user wrote.
One user also shared a personal story about meeting an Afghan family while traveling in Texas. According to the commenter, the family had very little with them and carried most of their belongings in duffel bags. The father spoke limited English, while the children were learning both English and Spanish using tablets.
Despite having so little, the family was described as generous and kind. The commenter recalled how the father’s wife used a small rice cooker during their journey and frequently offered food to others. The family was reportedly traveling from Texas to Washington state in search of a better climate and new opportunities.
Although the commenter eventually moved to another state and lost contact with them, the news about Paktiawal reminded them of that encounter.
“This makes me want to cry. If something happened to them… please just let them be alive and in peace. I’d give anything to know they’re okay. Their smiles. Their generosity. I just… I can’t,” the user wrote.
