Chicago Teen Who Fought for Father's ICE Release Dies from Cancer

Ofelia Torres, 16, passed away just days after her father was granted a path to citizenship.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Ofelia Torres, a 16-year-old junior at Lake View High School in Chicago, died on Friday from a rare soft tissue cancer. Ofelia had been fighting for her father Ruben Torres Maldonado's release from ICE custody since he was arrested in October 2023 during the Trump administration's 'Operation Midway Blitz.' Just three days before Ofelia's death, an immigration judge ruled that Torres Maldonado was entitled to 'cancellation of removal' due to the hardships his deportation would cause his U.S. citizen children, providing a path for him to apply for permanent residency and citizenship.

Why it matters

Ofelia's story highlights the human toll of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies, which separated families and caused immense stress and trauma, especially for children. Her fight for her father's release brought national attention to the issue, and her tragic death underscores the devastating consequences that such policies can have on vulnerable individuals.

The details

Ofelia was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue cancer in December 2024 and was unable to continue her cancer treatment due to the stress caused by her father's ICE arrest. Torres Maldonado, who had no criminal record, was arrested at a Home Depot in Niles, Illinois in October 2023 during the Trump administration's 'Operation Midway Blitz.' Ofelia initially wanted to keep her cancer diagnosis private but felt compelled to speak out publicly to defend her father. Her social media posts calling for his release put the case in the national spotlight. In late October 2023, a judge ordered Torres Maldonado released from ICE custody on a $2,000 bond. Just three days before Ofelia's death, an immigration judge ruled that Torres Maldonado was entitled to 'cancellation of removal' due to the hardships his deportation would cause his U.S. citizen children, providing a path for him to apply for permanent residency and citizenship.

  • Ofelia Torres was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue cancer in December 2024.
  • Ruben Torres Maldonado was arrested by ICE agents on October 18, 2023 during the Trump administration's 'Operation Midway Blitz'.
  • In late October 2023, a judge ordered Torres Maldonado released from ICE custody on a $2,000 bond.
  • On February 11, 2026, an immigration judge ruled that Torres Maldonado was entitled to 'cancellation of removal' due to the hardships his deportation would cause his U.S. citizen children.
  • Ofelia Torres died on February 14, 2026.

The players

Ofelia Torres

A 16-year-old junior at Lake View High School in Chicago who was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue cancer in December 2024 and fought for her father's release from ICE custody before passing away.

Ruben Torres Maldonado

Ofelia's father, who was arrested by ICE agents in October 2023 during the Trump administration's 'Operation Midway Blitz' and was later granted a path to U.S. citizenship.

Kalman Resnick

The attorney representing Ruben Torres Maldonado.

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What they’re saying

“Ofelia was heroic and brave in the face of ICE's detention and threatened deportation of her father. 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.”

— Kalman Resnick, Torres Maldonado's attorney

What’s next

The family says it will have a private funeral for Ofelia Torres.

The takeaway

Ofelia's story is a tragic reminder of the human toll of aggressive immigration enforcement policies, and how they can devastate vulnerable families, especially children. Her courageous fight for her father's release despite her own health struggles serves as an inspiration to continue advocating for more humane and compassionate immigration policies.