An Afghan national who had worked with US Special Forces for nearly a decade died in a Texas hospital shortly after being taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Federal officials identified him as 41-year-old Mohammad Nazir Paktiwal, who was arrested on March 14 and reported dead the following morning after suffering breathing difficulties and chest pain during a medical exam at an ICE office in Dallas. ICE stated that he received medical care and that no detainee is denied treatment.

Authorities alleged Paktiwal had committed food assistance fraud and theft, and claimed no record of his military service existed. However, San Diego–based advocacy group Hashtag Afghan Evac rejected those claims, saying the government was avoiding accountability. Family members said Paktiwal was healthy before his detention and expressed confusion over his sudden death.

US Representative Julie Johnson questioned ICE’s handling of the case, citing past misinformation about detainees and demanding answers about why Paktiwal was detained and how he died. The Dallas County Medical Examiner has not yet determined the cause of death, and ICE confirmed the case remains under investigation.