Magaziner Leads Letter Calling for Answers on Death of Afghan Ally in ICE Custody
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner (RI-02) and U.S. Representative Julie Johnson (TX-32) led Homeland Security Committee Democratic colleagues in a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding transparency and answers surrounding the death of Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in March.
Paktiawal was an Afghan national who worked alongside U.S. Army Special Forces for more than a decade. He and his family were evacuated from Afghanistan in 2021 and legally brought to the United States. He was a father of six and had no criminal convictions. Paktiawal was detained by ICE in March while preparing his children for school, and died in ICE custody just hours later.
Reports released earlier this month indicate that Paktiawal died from "an adverse drug reaction" to an unidentified substance leading to anaphylaxis, according to his death certificate. However, Dallas County authorities have refused to release the autopsy, and significant questions remain about the circumstances surrounding his death, including the timeline of events, the cause of his anaphylactic reaction, and his care while in custody.
In the letter, the lawmakers urge the immediate release of Paktiawal’s autopsy and demand answers about why he was prioritized for detention and deportation given his lack of criminal convictions and service alongside U.S. forces.
“It is unacceptable that someone who fought bravely beside our troops was so easily discarded by the very government he fought for. His family deserves answers regarding his death, and the American people deserve to know the treatment of individuals in ICE’s care,” wrote the members in the letter.
The letter is signed by Representatives Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Dan Goldman (NY-10), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11).
You can read the full text of the letter here and below.
Dear Secretary Mullin:
We write to urgently request the release of Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal’s autopsy completed by the Dallas Office Medical Examiner’s Office, and for an explanation of why he was prioritized for deportation.
In 2005, Mr. Paktiawal faithfully worked alongside the U.S. Army Special Forces for more than a decade. After the fall of the Afghan government, due to his long-term work and alliance with the U.S. Special Forces, he and his family were evacuated out of Afghanistan in 2021 and legally brought to the United States. He was a father of six, and had no criminal convictions. Despite these facts, he was targeted by your Department for deportation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him while he was getting his kids ready for school on March 13, 2026. He died just hours later, a preventable tragedy.
It is unacceptable that someone who fought bravely beside our troops was so easily discarded by the very government he fought for. His family deserves answers regarding his death, and the American people deserve transparency regarding the treatment of individuals in ICE’s care.
However, the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office refuses to release the complete autopsy report at ICE’s request. Mr. Paktiawal’s death is listed as an accident and the death certificate states that his cause of death is anaphylaxis complicating acute asthma exacerbation, a severe allergic reaction that was exacerbated by his asthma.
We urge you to immediately release Mr. Paktiawal’s autopsy report and provide his family with much needed closure. Additionally, please provide answers to the following questions no later than July 24, 2026.
Why was Mr. Paktiawal prioritized for detention and removal despite having no criminal convictions and having served alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan?
On March 16, the Department of Homeland Security’s X account posted that they had no evidence of Mr. Paktiawal's military service. Since then, many news organizations have provided evidence of his military service. Has the Department of Homeland Security reversed its position regarding Mr. Paktiawal’s military service?
How many other Afghan Allies who supported U.S. troops has ICE detained and deported since March 2025? How many individuals is ICE targeting for detention and deportation?
What criminal investigation is currently being conducted related to Mr. Paktiawal’s death?
Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent request.
CC: David J. Venturella, ICE Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director