Cambodian refugee dies in ICE custody at Philadelphia detention center
Jan 10, 2026·Location: Philadelphia, PA
Country of origin: Cambodia

Parady La, a 46-year-old Cambodian refugee and longtime Philadelphia-area resident, died in January 2026 after being detained by ICE. La was arrested by ICE on January 6 outside his home and held at the Federal Detention Center (FDC Philadelphia), where he was treated for severe drug withdrawal. On January 7, officers found him unresponsive in his cell, administered CPR and Narcan, and transported him to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where he was diagnosed with anoxic brain injury, shock, and multiple organ failures. He died on January 9. His family and organizations including the ACLU of Pennsylvania and CAIR-Philadelphia demanded accountability and transparency, with the ACLU filing a Freedom of Information Act request for records related to his detention, medical treatment, and death.
Timeline
Sources
- Family of Parady La, who died in ICE custody in Philadelphia, searches for answers
- Family of Upper Darby man who died in ICE custody seeking answers
delcotimes.com·Jan 16, 2026·archived copy
- upperdarbynow.com
- ACLU, other groups join in seeking answers in ICE custody death of Upper Darby man
delcotimes.com·Feb 6, 2026·archived copy
- FOIA request into Upper Darby man’s death in ICE custody denied
delcotimes.com·Jan 28, 2026·archived copy
- Family demands answers from ICE after Philly jail death - Metro Philadelphia
metrophiladelphia.com·Feb 8, 2026·archived copy
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