A 41-year-old Afghan wartime ally and father of six, Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, died in federal custody Saturday morning, less than 24 hours after his arrest by ICE agents in Richardson. Paktyawal, who served with U.S. Special Forces for a decade, experienced a medical emergency at the Dallas ICE Field Office and was transported to Parkland Hospital, where he died despite lifesaving efforts. While the cause of death is under investigation, family and advocacy groups are seeking answers, noting Paktyawal had a pending asylum case and valid work authorization at the time of his detention.
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Army vet detained by ICE for 8 hours says he wasn’t allowed to call an attorney, and it immediately brings to mind some unsettling truths. The simple act of being denied access to legal counsel, particularly when detained by a government agency, strikes at the very core of our constitutional rights. It’s a foundational principle in a just society: everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the right to legal representation. To be deprived of that right, especially after serving in the military, is a profound betrayal of the values this country supposedly stands for.
The accusations of this happening shouldn’t come as a surprise given what has happened lately.… Continue reading
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national and former member of a CIA-backed unit, is accused of shooting two National Guard members near Washington, D.C. The alleged attack occurred after Lakanwal struggled with mental health issues, financial hardship, and a perceived lack of support from the U.S. government. Having served with the CIA in Afghanistan and resettled in the United States, Lakanwal faced difficulties finding employment and accessing immigration services. Despite undergoing extensive vetting, he was reportedly experiencing isolation and sought help from a CIA program for veterans, though his requests appear to have been ignored.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
ICE Detains Army Vet for 8 Hours, Denies Attorney Access
Army vet detained by ICE for 8 hours says he wasn’t allowed to call an attorney, and it immediately brings to mind some unsettling truths. The simple act of being denied access to legal counsel, particularly when detained by a government agency, strikes at the very core of our constitutional rights. It’s a foundational principle in a just society: everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the right to legal representation. To be deprived of that right, especially after serving in the military, is a profound betrayal of the values this country supposedly stands for.
The accusations of this happening shouldn’t come as a surprise given what has happened lately.… Continue reading