Naseer Paktyawal said he was so concerned about his brother’s deteriorating condition that he called for an ambulance to the Dallas ICE facility where he was held.
RICHARDSON, Texas — The brother of an Afghan man who died after less than a day in ICE custody said he became so concerned with Mohammed Nazeer Paktyawal’s medical condition that he called for an ambulance to the facility where he was being processed hours before Paktyawal was pronounced dead at a Dallas hospital.
Naseer Paktyawal said his brother served for more than a decade alongside U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan and was evacuated by the American government as troops left the country. The Department of Homeland Security said Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal did not provide a record of military service as he entered the U.S. in August 2021.
The 41-year-old was detained Friday as he prepared to drive several of his six children to school, his brother said.
“He was detained while his kids were screaming for help,” he said.
Naseer Paktyawal said he became concerned for his brother’s health when he reported trouble breathing and body pain within hours of arriving at a Dallas ICE processing facility.
“I called 911. I requested an ambulance and I gave them the address for the facility,” he said.
He said ICE employees at the facility told him not to worry; medical care was available for detainees. But he said when he spoke to his brother Friday night, he still had not received medical attention.
ICE said in a statement it contacted EMS in the late evening after Mohammed Nazeer Paktyawal complained of shortness of breath and chest pains while waiting in a processing hold room.
“He was immediately transported to Parkland Hospital and received breathing treatment. The ER doctor recommended that he remain in the hospital for observation,” the statement said.
“Early March 14, Paktyawal was eating breakfast when medical staff noted that his tongue had become swollen, prompting a medical response. After multiple lifesaving efforts were attempted, he was declared deceased at 9:10 a.m.,” ICE said.
Naseer Paktyawal said he is confident his brother would still be alive if he had received more timely treatment.
“He was taken alive, less than 24 hours [later], he was pronounced dead,” he said, adding that his brother was in “perfect health” prior to his detention.
ICE said it does not deny emergency care to people in its custody at any time.
The agency said Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal was a “criminal illegal alien” with prior arrests for SNAP fraud and theft.
“Whatever name the ICE agency giving him, he is not that guy. He was a hero,” said his brother. “He came on a plane with American partners to this country. He was brought to this country […] for a better future. For a better life for him and his kids.”
Naseer Paktyawal said he wants justice so “this does not happen to another family. To another foreign family who trusted this country, this government for his life and the life of his children.”