Sioux Falls Native and Physical Therapist Detained By ICE

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have affected families across the country, especially for one family with ties to Sioux Falls.

A former physical therapist at Avera McKennan Hospital, Vone Phrommany, was detained by ICE on Monday, July 28th. His family confirmed this heartbreaking news in a Facebook post.

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Our news partners at Dakota News Now have been following this developing story. Currently residing in Arizona, Vone Phrommany has been practicing for over 23 years as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. He has degrees from both South Dakota State University and St. Ambrose University. His sister Steffinnie Phrommany Postas has detailed his journey since being detained by ICE. She says this period for her and her family has been full of "pain, confusion, and helplessness."

During this difficult period, Vone has been transferred to three different detention facilities. There's been little communication, and his family has been left in the dark. His sister Steffinnie has laid out in detail the type of person her brother is. One thing she is making clear: Vone is not a criminal, and he is one of the kindest people Steffinnie knows.

Here's what Steffinnie knows about her brother:

He is adored by his patients, respected by his colleagues, and loved by everyone who knows him. His kindness is magnetic—he’s the type of person who lifts every room he walks into. He is generous, joyful, and always ready to help others, even at his own expense.

The government has said many times to the public that ICE is only targeting crimnals "the worst of the worst." That is simply NOT true. My brother’s case proves that. He is being treated like a criminal when all he has done is serve his community, work hard, and be a light to everyone around him.

I’m currently in Arizona with my family, and we were finally able to see him. He is still in good spirits (and of course, already making friends—no surprise there). But we are living in limbo, waiting for more information and doing everything in our power to fight for him to stay.

What makes this even scarier is that several Lao nationals were recently deported without due process. We are terrified he could be next.

At the time of this post, the Facebook post from Vone Phrommany's sister has been shared almost 300 times and has received over 350 reactions.

Any further information about Vone can be found here. Stay with partners at Dakota News Now for all the latest details.