Family speaks after Afghan refugee who fought alongside U.S. forces dies in ICE custody
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An Afghan military veteran who worked with U.S. forces died in ICE custody, marking the 13th such death in 2026.
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Mohammed Nazeer Paktiawal, a 41-year-old former Afghan military soldier who was evacuated to the U.S. in 2021 after working alongside American forces, died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody on March 14. His family—including his 12-year-old son and brother—has demanded answers about the circumstances of his death. The death marks the 13th ICE custody fatality three months into 2026, continuing a troubling trend after last year recorded a two-decade high in such deaths. Paktiawal's case highlights the precarious legal status of some Afghan evacuees who aided U.S. military operations but have faced immigration complications since resettlement. His family's public call for accountability underscores growing scrutiny of ICE detention practices and conditions.
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Paktiawal's family has publicly demanded answers about the circumstances of his death, prompting scrutiny of ICE detention practices.
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