Afghan Dad Who Fought Alongside U.S. Military Dies Hours Into ICE Custody | EUROtoday

An asylum-seeking father of six who fought alongside the U.S. army in Afghanistan died this weekend lower than 24 hours after he was detained by federal immigration brokers outdoors his dwelling within the Dallas space.

Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, 41, was making ready to drop his kids off in school on Friday morning when a number of brokers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took him in entrance of his kids, in line with the person’s household.

“That moment will stay with them forever,” the household mentioned in a Sunday assertion, referring to his kids, the youngest of whom is eighteen months.

While ready within the maintain room at ICE’s Dallas workplace, Paktyawal started complaining to brokers of shortness of breath and chest pains, the company mentioned. The man additionally advised his household over the cellphone, and was admitted to Parkland Hospital on Friday evening.

Paktyawal was consuming breakfast on the hospital on Saturday morning “when medical staff noted that his tongue had become swollen, prompting a medical response,” ICE mentioned in its Sunday assertion. He was declared useless “after multiple lifesaving efforts.” A medical investigation into his reason behind dying is ongoing.

Paktyawal’s household mentioned his dying has brought on them “deep shock and pain.”

“We still cannot understand how this happened. He was only 41 years old and was a strong and healthy man,” the household mentioned. “His children keep asking when their father will come home.”

Paktyawal’s household good friend, Marwa Zazay, has since launched a GoFundMe to assist assist his household. The fundraiser has raised greater than $141,000 to this point.

Paktyawal served as an Afghan particular forces soldier beginning in 2005 and was among the many group of Afghans working with U.S. forces in Afghanistan for over a decade, in line with the nonprofit AfghanEvac. He was evacuated to the U.S. in August 2021, and was working a bakery in Richardson, Texas, whereas his asylum case made its manner via the system.

“The United States made a promise to the Afghans who stood with us. Honoring that promise requires transparency, accountability and dignity in how they are treated here at home,” AfghanEvac President Shawn VanDiver mentioned in a press release. “This moment demands nothing less.”

ICE wrongfully labeled Paktyawal a “criminal illegal alien” in its assertion, regardless of him and his household residing within the U.S. legally and complying with the immigration course of. The company cited prior arrests tied to accusations of fraud and theft, although AfghanEvac says these incidents by no means resulted in felony fees or convictions.

“Detention does not erase a person’s humanity. Every individual in custody must be treated with dignity, safety and respect,” CAIR-Texas DFW Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll mentioned in a press release. “We call on all authorities to ensure a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Paktiawal’s detention and death.”

The House Homeland Security Committee didn’t reply to a HuffPost request for remark as as to whether it’s going to look into Paktyawal’s case.