Full Breakdown
Death of Parady La Raises Questions About ICE Custody and Medical Care
1/12/2026, 12:00:21 AM
Incident Overview
Parady La, a 46-year-old Cambodian immigrant, died on January 9, 2026, at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia after suffering from severe drug withdrawal while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. La was arrested on January 6 outside his home in Upper Darby and detained at the Federal Detention Center (FDC) in Philadelphia. He was found unresponsive in his cell the following day, prompting immediate medical intervention, including CPR and the administration of NARCAN. Despite these efforts, La was admitted to the hospital in critical condition, where he was diagnosed with anoxic brain injury, cardiac arrest, shock, and multiple organ failures. He was pronounced dead early on January 9.
Background on Parady La
La arrived in the United States in 1981 as a refugee and became a lawful permanent resident a year later. However, he lost his legal status due to a lengthy criminal history that includes multiple convictions for offenses such as robbery, forgery, and drug possession. His criminal record spans over two decades, with his most recent arrest occurring shortly before his death.
Medical Care and Circumstances of Death
According to family members and advocacy groups, La experienced severe withdrawal symptoms shortly after his detention, including vomiting and requests for medical assistance. His nephew, Michael La, stated that his uncle had communicated his need for help but did not receive adequate care. The Shut Down Detention Campaign criticized ICE for allegedly failing to follow proper protocols for withdrawal treatment and noted that the use of NARCAN, typically used for opioid overdoses, was inappropriate in this context. They argued that earlier hospitalization could have potentially improved La's chances of survival.
Official Statements and Responses
ICE maintains that it provides comprehensive medical care to all individuals in custody, including emergency care and health assessments. The agency is required to publicly report in-custody deaths within 90 days, as mandated by the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018. Following La's death, ICE stated that it is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of detainees.
Criticism and Opposition
Advocacy groups, including the Shut Down Detention Campaign, have called for the closure of the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, citing La's death as the fourth reported fatality in Pennsylvania immigration detention centers in just over two years. Critics argue that systemic issues within ICE's medical care protocols contribute to preventable deaths among detainees.
Verbatim Quotes
“From what we're hearing, that the inmates are saying, is that he said that he was withdrawing, told them that he was withdrawing, was asking for help for 24 hours, vomiting, and didn't get any water,” — Michael La, Nephew of Parady La
“The stories are coming together to sound like it could have been preventable.” — Michael La
What's Next
The circumstances surrounding Parady La's death are likely to prompt further scrutiny of ICE's medical care policies and practices. Advocacy groups continue to push for reforms in immigration detention facilities, emphasizing the need for improved health services and oversight.
