U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has denied the Daily Times\u2019 Freedom of Information Act request for documents related to his death, citing an ongoing law enforcement investigation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\u201cWe thought it was important given the fact that one of our constituents had died in the facility that we get in there one way or another,\u201d Scanlon said of the facility tour she took, including the unit where people are being detained.<\/p>\n
![\"Congresswoman](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DTD-L-VETS-1112-8.jpg\")
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon. (PETE BANNAN-DAILY TIMES)<\/p>\n
\u201cThe top takeaway is going to be even though people are detained by immigration enforcement, less than 30 to 40 percent of them have criminal backgrounds,\u201d the congresswoman said. \u201cThey\u2019re sweeping up anyone they can get their hands on.\u201d<\/p>\n
As people go through the immigration process, they have check-ins they must make with federal officials and Scanlon said people are being picked up on the way to these check-ins.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople who are actually following the rules,\u201d she said, adding, \u201cEven if there\u2019s a technical violation, it\u2019s a civil issue. It\u2019s as if you get a traffic ticket and you get sent to federal prison.\u201d<\/p>\n
There, she said, inmates and detainees are treated the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cPart of the purpose of going down there (was) to get better information about how the process working,\u201d she said, as well as how people can get in touch with their relatives.<\/p>\n
Scanlon said her office is aware that people who are concerned about being detained are putting together their papers, but she also asked them to fill out a privacy release form, so her office and other advocates can inquire about them and get information about them if they are detained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe system has not been incredibly forthcoming,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Asked what the detention center was like, the congresswoman explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a federal prison that\u2019s being used as a temporary holding center,\u201d Scanlon said. \u201cThis is not something that this prison was doing before February of last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
She spoke to the people in detention.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really brought home the fact that people are being treated as criminals when they are not criminals,\u201d Scanlon said.<\/p>\n
The congresswoman said she was \u201cvery concerned by the willful ignorance of due process.\u201d<\/p>\n
She called upon the public to call their lawmakers as the funding for ICE is being considered, along with parameters for that agency.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of work that needs to be done,\u201d Scanlon said.<\/p>\n
Based on U.S. Census statistics from 2024, 11.2% of Delaware County\u2019s 584,882 residents are foreign born and in Upper Darby, 23.5% of the township\u2019s 86,045 residents are foreign born.<\/p>\n
![\"Parady](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DTD-L-PARADY-02.jpg\")
Parady La, 46, Upper Darby, died of apparent withdrawal symptoms while in federal custody earlier this month. Above, with his daughter Jazmine in an undated photo. (COURTESY OF THE LA FAMILY)<\/p>\n
McIntyre explained that Upper Darby has always had an ICE presence due to its large immigrant community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they\u2019re coming in with a judicial warrant and communicating with our police department, of course we want to protect people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
That used to be approximately a once-a-month occurrence, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw a distinct shift starting around September,\u201d McIntyre said. \u201cIt quickly began to ramp up \u2026 ICE is knocking on people\u2019s doors. ICE is detaining people on the street, picking people off of their workplaces.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said advocates have fought for accountability and reform and have seen success with police departments such as Upper Darby and Sharon Hill.<\/p>\n
However, he said federal agents\u2019 actions have jeopardized local police.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe law has become a suggestion under the federal government,\u201d McIntyre said. \u201cThis has done nothing but harm the reputation of our local law enforcement. Upper Darby has done a lot of work. They do a decent job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Township Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt confirmed that ICE has had a presence in Upper Darby and Delaware County for many years.<\/p>\n
![\"Upper](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG-7721-e1747853773272.jpg\")
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt at the microphone at a news conference. Bernhardt says “Our relationship with ICE is professional and work-related. While I would welcome more communication, limited information sharing has long been a challenge across law enforcement agencies and is not new.” (PETE BANNAN – DAILY TIMES)<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is not new,\u201d he said. \u201cIn the past, they often notified our department when they were operating in the township, but that notification has not always been consistent. This is not unique to ICE, as other federal agencies have also operated in town without advance notice. Federal agencies are not required to notify us. We continue to maintain professional working relationships with all federal partners.\u201d<\/p>\n
He described the township police department\u2019s relationship with ICE.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur relationship with ICE is professional and work-related,\u201d Bernhardt said. \u201cWhile I would welcome more communication, limited information sharing has long been a challenge across law enforcement agencies and is not new.\u201d<\/p>\n
The superintendent said he does not have numbers on how may people have been detained by ICE in Upper Darby.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not have confirmed or factual numbers on how many people have been detained or arrested by ICE in Upper Darby,\u201d he said. \u201cI do not speculate on numbers. ICE does not share this information with us. When possible, the department attempts to track our own confirmed interactions, but we cannot verify photos or videos unless we can authenticate. What I can say is that ICE has been active in the township, but I do not have details on the number of operations or detentions.\u201d<\/p>\n
The superintendent said he and Mayor Ed Brown have conversations routinely.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur message has been consistent,\u201d Bernhardt said. \u201cThe mayor and I speak regularly about public safety and maintaining Upper Darby as a safe community for everyone. We want all residents to feel welcome and secure, regardless of where they are from. Our responsibility is to enforce state laws, court orders, and local ordinances. Immigration enforcement is not the role of the Upper Darby Police Department.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Upper](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DTD-L-COUNCIL-0919-02.jpg\")
Upper Darby Councilman Kyle McIntyre speaking recently to Delaware County Council. (KATHLEEN E. CAREY – DAILY TIMES)<\/p>\n
McIntyre said\u00a0ICE\u2019s actions have caused fear within the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost Upper Darbyians are living under terror,\u201d McIntyre said. \u201cWe\u2019ve had dozens of families ripped apart. We had many kids, their parents are afraid to send them to school. We\u2019ve had children left at home. People don\u2019t even think about the pets \u2026 Most of the time, (the U.S. Department of Homeland Security) doesn\u2019t give them an opportunity to speak with a loved one. It\u2019s very difficult to locate individuals, so they just go missing.<\/p>\n
Upper Darby Township Councilman David Bantoe, whose district covers the 69th Street area, said he is trying to audit his community right now.<\/p>\n
\u201cI drive around, talk to business owners, talk to ordinary people,\u201d he said. \u201cThey talk to me. I base my information from that. Based on what we are hearing form the township administration, people are calling (and saying) ICE was spotted in some parts of Upper Darby in the West Chester Pike area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like McIntyre, he said township police worked to build trust with the residents.<\/p>\n
\u201c(What) is concerning is ICE is not working with the police,\u201d Bantoe said. \u201cFor me, I am looking at the public safety of this whole thing. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been in place for years and years and years. The difference is the tactics in enforcing the law.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both councilman spoke about the impacts on their community.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people are afraid,\u201d Bantoe said. \u201cThey are afraid to go to the store.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senior residents, he said, are afraid to call people to come and clean the snow.<\/p>\n
McIntyre said he gets reports daily on individuals being detained in the township.<\/p>\n
Scanlon said the focus is on certain groups.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere seems to be a targeting of the breadwinners,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
McIntyre added to that sentiment, \u201cThey\u2019re trying to starve people out so they self-deport.\u201d<\/p>\n
Plus, he said, \u201cWe\u2019ve recently seen teens targeted. We\u2019ve started to see targeting of youth. You send your kid to school, they may not come home. In what society is that just?\u201d<\/p>\n
Both councilman addressed the issue on a larger scale.<\/p>\n
As one of the most diverse communities in Pennsylvania, McIntyre said, \u201cWe have a duty in this state to do everything that\u2019s in our power.<\/p>\n
![\"Upper](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/DTD-L-BANTOE-0128.jpg\")
Upper Darby Council member David Bantoe. (COURTESY PHOTO)<\/p>\n
When it comes to immigrants, its one of those few things we have a duty and responsibility to do everything. An attack on our immigrants is an attack on Upper Darby ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bantoe said he encourages constituents to reach out to him in times of uncertainty.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m from a background of 14 years of civil war,\u201d the Liberian native said. \u201cComing to this country as a refugee, to see something like this it takes my memory back. we suffered to come here.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to work our way through this together,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
Burnette said resources need to placed elsewhere, such as health care and housing.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of the needs that we have in Delaware County. We don\u2019t have hospitals in Delaware County, salaries aren\u2019t going up, people can\u2019t afford houses, food,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Burnette explained that her organization, MILPA, has been fighting for families\u2019 rights regardless of immigration status for more than 13 years, from expanding access to drivers\u2019 licenses to calling on the public to reach out to the governor to end all collaboration of the mass deportation campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Delaware County, we\u2019re just hearing more and more people seeing this and we want it to stop,\u201d she said of the detentions. \u201cPeople in the community are tired of it and we are standing together \u2026 Immigrant families or workers across the U.S. have been fighting for so many years \u2026 for a path to citizenship that so many immigrant communities prior have had.\u201d<\/p>\n
Actions are being taken.<\/p>\n
State lawmakers have introduced a series of legislation in both the House and Senate that would put restrictions on ICE activities in Pennsylvania, such as requiring identification and prohibiting their faces to be masked and prohibiting ICE arrests within 1,000 feet of a courthouse or Commonwealth property.<\/p>\n
\u201cPennsylvania should pass these bills, but we need to be realistic that in a divided Legislature, that is not going to happen,\u201d state Sen. Tim Kearney, D-26 of Swarthmore said. \u201cAmericans need to organize in their communities to protect their neighbors and stand up for their rights. And yes, they need to continue to call their federal representatives, and work to elect people at all levels of government who represent their values.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a message to constituents, state Rep. Heather Boyd, D-163, of Upper Darby said, \u201cICE\u2019s practices have sown fear in our neighborhoods, separated families, and undermined trust between residents and local institutions. When parents are afraid to drive to work, when victims are afraid to report crimes, and when children worry that a knock on the door could tear their family apart, public safety suffers for everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can uphold the rule of law without abandoning our values. Enforcement that lacks transparency, due process, and basic humanity is not justice.\u201d<\/p>\n
An observer training scheduled for Saturday by the advocacy group U.D.T.J.<\/a> filled up within 24 hours and had a waitlist of approximately 200 people after that. Groups like Delco Indivisible are also holding observer trainings.<\/p>\n\u201cIn our communities, there\u2019s a lot people can do,\u201d Scanlon said, as she encouraged people to support civil rights and immigration organizations like MILPA and Centro de Apoyo Comunitario.<\/p>\n
She spoke of the difference these observers can have.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been to hearings in Minnesota and Chicago,\u201d the congresswoman said. \u201cIn both of those places, it was the video evidence provided by the bystanders that had the courts change.<\/p>\n
She reiterated, however, that people need to be peaceful as they document.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want anyone crossing that line and getting hurt,\u201d Scanlon said.<\/p>\n
McIntyre agreed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI encourage all residents: If you see something, say something,\u201d he said. \u201cBe safe to the best of your ability.\u201d<\/p>\n
McIntyre also urged the public to support immigrants by buying from their stores and donating to food pantries like Murphy\u2019s Giving Market.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur immigrant community could use a lot of support and especially the businesses,\u201d he said. \u201cSo many people can\u2019t come outside. We need people to brave the weather and come down here and buy the tamales, enjoy some pho. That really, really matters.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The number estimates of Delaware County residents being detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":83916,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[212,182,139,28,210,147,149,148,150],"class_list":["post-102270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-upper-darby","tag-delaware-county","tag-local-news","tag-news","tag-pennsylvania","tag-top-stories-dtd","tag-upper-darby","tag-upper-darby-headlines","tag-upper-darby-news","tag-upper-darby-township"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=102270"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102270\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/83916"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=102270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=102270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}