Chicago Teen Who Fought for Father's ICE Release Dies Amid Cancer Battle
Ofelia Torres, a 16-year-old from Chicago, died on Friday after a long struggle with an aggressive and rare form of cancer, according to a family spokesperson. Her passing comes months after she publicly advocated for the release of her father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, who was illegally detained by immigration authorities during a federal crackdown in October 2025.
Family's Struggle During Immigration Crackdown
In late 2024, Ofelia was diagnosed with stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer that develops in skeletal muscles. As she underwent intensive treatment, her father was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at a Home Depot in Broadview, Illinois, on October 4, 2025. The arrest occurred amid Operation Midway Blitz, a Trump administration initiative that surged immigration enforcement arrests in Chicago, involving multiple federal agencies.
A judge later ruled in late October that Torres Maldonado's detention was illegal, leading to his release on October 30. Ofelia had been on a temporary break from cancer treatment when her father was taken into custody, adding immense stress to the family's already difficult situation.
Public Advocacy and Backlash
Ofelia used her platform to speak out against the immigration crackdown, creating a video for a GoFundMe page that highlighted her family's story. In the video, she said, "I find it so unfair that hardworking immigrant families are being targeted because they were not born here." She emphasized that immigrants deserve love and respect, noting that not all families have the resources to fight such cases.
The Torres family's plight drew widespread condemnation and backlash against the Trump administration, with many criticizing the targeting of families during immigration raids. The family received legal assistance, which helped secure Torres Maldonado's release and block his deportation. Days before Ofelia's death, a judge ruled that deportation would cause undue hardship, opening a potential path to permanent residence and citizenship for her father.
Legacy and Tributes
Ofelia's attorney described her as "heroic and brave" for standing up to ICE's actions. In a statement, the attorney added, "We mourn Ofelia's passing, and we hope that she will serve as a model for us all for how to be courageous and to fight for what's right to our last breaths."
Beyond her advocacy, Ofelia was known for her academic pursuits. She completed a school project on the high cost of healthcare in the U.S., which led her teacher to connect her with Illinois state representative Laura Faver Dias. They discussed healthcare policy and shared fears about Medicaid, highlighting Ofelia's engagement with critical social issues.
In response to the family's story, homeland security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin accused Torres Maldonado of habitual driving offenses and dismissed the legal case as a desperate attempt to remain in the country. However, the judge's rulings and public support underscored the human impact of immigration policies.
Ofelia Torres's story remains a poignant reminder of the intersections between health crises, immigration enforcement, and family resilience in the face of adversity.
