Afghan Ally of U.S. Forces Dies in ICE Custody One Day After Detention
An Afghan national died from a severe allergic reaction while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody one day after being detained for deportation proceedings, according to his death certificate.
The certificate states that Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal suffered an adverse reaction to an unidentified drug or substance, triggering anaphylaxis that aggravated his asthma. The death was ruled accidental.
Paktiawal’s death has drawn scrutiny because he spent a decade serving alongside U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan, where he worked as an ally during the war. His death in federal custody has prompted criticism from advocates and others who cite his military service and the circumstances surrounding his detention.
