The death of 41-year-old Afghan national Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal has raised concerns about the care and safety of detainees under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Paktiawal died on March 14, just one day after being detained in Richardson, Texas, due to an ‘adverse drug reaction.’ Officials have classified his death as accidental, but his case is part of a troubling trend in detention facilities.
Data reveals an increase in deaths within ICE detention centers. ICE has been criticized for neglecting its duty to protect detainees. Over the past years, more than 50 detainees have died during President Trump’s second term, averaging a death every six days. This rate surpasses that of the Biden administration, raising questions about legal and ethical standards.
The Fifth and 14th Amendments guarantee protection against hazardous conditions for detainees. Likewise, the Immigration and Nationality Act mandates the provision of adequate detention conditions. The United States is also bound by international human rights agreements, applicable to all, irrespective of immigration status.
However, reports of inadequate medical care and extreme conditions persist. An Associated Press investigation highlights a notable uptick in suicides among detainees. These issues are compounded by ICE’s changes to reporting deaths, focusing only on those occurring in custody, potentially bypassing responsibility for those nearing death during release.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has been criticized for downplaying deaths in detention, asserting parallels with state prison mortality rates. This dismissal contrasts with detainees, 70% of whom hold no criminal record. Calls for policy reform and increased oversight have been met with minimal action from officials.
International concern mounts as the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights calls for an inquiry into detention deaths. Meanwhile, Mexico plans legal actions in response to fatalities of its nationals in ICE custody.
Despite President Trump’s election stance on illegal immigration, ICE claims detention is non-punitive, intended to hold individuals pending immigration hearings or deportation. With an annual budget of $85 billion, ICE should be able to ensure proper care for detainees. Mohamed Paktiawal’s story underlines the need for humane treatment — a U.S. ally with a pending asylum claim, his case symbolizes the issues at hand.
Advocates suggest that the same scrutiny applied to high-profile law enforcement actions should extend to detention deaths. Lawmakers are urged to push for transparency and may consider budgetary penalties if necessary. Political figures are encouraged to address these concerns, stressing that detention should not be a fatal experience.
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