A 46‑year‑old man named Parady La, who was being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), died earlier this month at a hospital in Philadelphia. ICE reported that La was in the United States without legal authorization and had a prior criminal record. La died last Friday from complications associated with drug withdrawal while detained at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. According to ICE, he was found unresponsive in his cell last Wednesday. Staff performed CPR and administered multiple doses of NARCAN before he was transported to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Upon admission, La was diagnosed with anoxic brain injury following cardiac arrest, shock, and multiple organ failure, as documented by hospital staff. Medical efforts to stabilize him were unsuccessful; he experienced complete renal failure and loss of detectable brain activity, and was placed on a respirator. His family was notified and visited him prior to his death, which occurred in the early morning hours.
La first arrived in the United States in 1981 as a refugee and later obtained lawful permanent residency. His criminal record resulted in the loss of his legal status, and he was arrested outside his Upper Darby residence last Tuesday. Officials stated that his record spans more than two decades and includes multiple convictions, such as simple assault, forgery, and drug possession.
Individuals in custody are provided with necessary medical care. People in detention undergo medical, dental, and mental health intake screenings within 12 hours of arrival at each facility, and have access to comprehensive health assessments, medical appointments, and 24-hour emergency care. In-custody deaths, including La’s, are required to be publicly reported within 90 days, as mandated by the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018.
Information about the circumstances of La’s death, as well as official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organizations, and the media, is publicly available on government websites. Following such incidents, procedures and policies related to detainee management and medical care are reviewed, which can prompt discussions about health services in detention facilities.
