‘I want to know why he died’: Afghan father dies in ICE custody, 12-year-old son seeks answers

Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan refugee and father of six, died less than a day after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in North Texas.Pak Tiawal was detained outside his home in Richardson, Texas, on the morning of March 13 as he prepared to drop his children off at school. According to his family, he called his brother shortly after his arrest and said he was unwell and in pain.That night, ICE officials said he complained of shortness of breath and chest pain while at the processing facility and was taken to a Dallas hospital. By the next morning, his condition worsened and his tongue was reportedly swollen, and despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead on March 14.The exact cause of death remains under investigation.

‘I just want answers’: Family’s grief and anger

Paktiyawal’s death has left his family devastated and searching for answers.His 12-year-old son, Imrain, expressed his grief in simple but powerful words: “He was a hero… He will always be a hero,” he told CBS News.“I just want answers for my father… I want to know why he died. He was healthy,” he added. His brother, Naseer Paktyawal, recalled their last conversation, saying Mohammad sounded scared and said several times he didn’t feel well.“He has been my best friend since birth… They took everything from me, his family, those six children,” Nasir told The Independent. “No one answered… why did he die?” he said.The family said they had not been given a clear explanation of his detention or the circumstances that led to his death.

ICE detention numbers continue to rise

Paktiawal’s death is one of a growing number of deaths in ICE custody. According to reports, he was the 12th detainee to die this year, a sharp increase in the number of detainee deaths compared with previous years.In 2025, 31 detainees died, the highest number in two decades, amid a surge in detentions caused by tighter immigration enforcement.

Questions about legal status and charges

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Paktiawal entered the United States legally in 2021 under the Humanitarian Parole Program after the U.S. withdrew its troops from Afghanistan. His temporary status expires in August 2025.Authorities said he was arrested in Texas on suspicion of fraud and theft involving food assistance benefits. However, officials confirmed that at the time of his death, the cases had not yet been adjudicated.His family disputed his characterization as a criminal, stressing that he was seeking asylum and had followed legal procedures.

A life shaped by war and immigration

Paktiawal’s family said he fought alongside U.S. troops in Afghanistan for nearly a decade, including in dangerous areas such as Paktika province. After the Taliban took over in 2021, he and his family were evacuated to the United States, where he began a life working in a bakery while awaiting the outcome of his asylum application.While U.S. authorities say they have no record of his military service, his family has provided documents and personal accounts to support their claims.Paktiaval’s death has intensified scrutiny of ICE’s detention practices, particularly regarding health care and transparency.Paktiyawal’s family said their only request now is for clarification of the facts.