Mission, TX (KRGV) — A Mission family is demanding answers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after their father suffered a cardiac emergency while in custody.

The family said they still do not have a clear picture of his condition or the medical care he is getting.

Juan Castaneda said his father, Martin Castaneda Hernandez, was detained on Sept. 9 in Harlingen while attending a scheduled ICE check-in. He said ICE later called the family to say Martin had a medical emergency and was taken to the hospital.

“It’s really hard,” Castaneda said.

Castaneda said the family spent weeks trying to find out where authorities were holding Martin and what was happening with his health. He said the family saw Martin face to face for the first time since his detention earlier this week.

“We couldn't get anywhere with anybody. Everybody that we would get in contact with [at] ICE or the detention center, they would tell me he's under ICE custody, and then [the others would say] he's under the detention center's custody. So, we wouldn't get any answers,” Castaneda said.

Castaneda Hernandez is from Tamaulipas, Mexico, and Castaneda said he has called the United States home for about 40 years. Castaneda added that his father started regularly reporting to immigration authorities 10 years ago.

Castaneda said the family did not know what happened until the week after his father’s detainment when Castaneda Hernandez told them doctors wanted to do open-heart surgery.

Castaneda Hernandez had the surgery and is now in rehabilitation, according to the family. Castaneda said Castaneda Hernandez provides updates from the Raymondville detention center when he can, but still does not know what his recovery will look like or what medical care he needs next.

“He’s depressed and weak; he felt like there was no way out,” Castaneda said.

In a statement to Channel 5 News, DHS said Castaneda Hernandez was arrested Sept. 9 and has a criminal history that includes multiple arrests for driving under the influence. DHS says he will remain in ICE custody pending removal and will receive due process.

DHS also said detainees have access to phones to communicate with family members and lawyers. The agency added that detainees also have access to medical services and 24-hour emergency care.

The DHS statement did not directly address the family’s concerns about communication after Martin’s surgery. Click here to read the full statement.

Castaneda said the family’s fight for answers and for his father is far from over.

Watch the video above for the full story.