Parady La was born in a refugee camp in Thailand, and when he was two years old his family fled the genocide in Cambodia, settling in Philadelphia in 1982. At 46, he died on January 9 at Jefferson University Hospital, three days after being arrested by agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and placed in custody at the Federal Detention Center.

According to an ICE press release dated January 10, La was found unconscious in his cell. Officers administered CPR, several doses of Narcan to treat drug withdrawal symptoms, and requested medical assistance.

Still in mourning, the family spoke on Thursday, February 5, during a press conference organized by the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania (ACLU of PA), held in front of the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia’s historic district. They presented Parady as a son, father, brother, and friend—not as a statistic or a criminal. They spoke about his addiction and questioned the use of Narcan, which is generally administered in cases of overdose, when their loved one was experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Victoria Peña-Parr, legal fellow at ACLU of PA, announced that the organization has filed Freedom of Information Act requests to obtain documents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as the Federal Bureau of Prisons regarding the circumstances surrounding Parady La’s death while in ICE custody.

Keith Armstrong, Immigrant Rights legal fellow at ACLU of PA, stated that they are requesting the release of records, video footage, and other information to understand what happened inside the Federal Detention Center. The deadline for the agencies to respond is March 6, or March 20 if they request an extension. If ACLU’s request is denied, the attorneys plan to challenge that denial in federal court.

State Senator Tim Kearney, who represents Upper Darby—the neighborhood where Parady La lived—said: “We need accountability for the lack of medical care he received, and Mr. La’s family deserves compensation for their loss while he was in ICE custody.”

The press conference was moderated by Vivian Chang, executive director of Asian American United. Speakers included Victoria Peña-Parr and Keith Armstrong (ACLU of PA); Meghan Morgan, Parady La’s wife; Jazmine La, his daughter; Lisa, his niece; Shalanda Wright, Philadelphia Community Bail Fund; Nancy Nguyen, VietLead; and State Senator Tim Kearney.