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

Ofelia Torres, 16, passed away after battling Stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Ofelia Torres, a 16-year-old Chicago resident, died on Friday from a rare and aggressive form of cancer called Stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Ofelia had fought to have her father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, released from ICE custody after he was detained in Niles, Illinois, last October. Three days before her death, an immigration judge ruled that Ofelia's father was conditionally entitled to receive "cancellation of removal" due to the hardships his deportation would cause his U.S. citizen children.

Why it matters

Ofelia's story highlighted the challenges faced by immigrant families, particularly the impact on children, when a parent is detained by immigration authorities. Her fight for her father's release brought national attention to the issue of immigration enforcement and its effects on families.

The details

Ofelia Torres, a junior at Lake View High School, was diagnosed with Stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that develops in skeletal muscles. Her father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, was detained by immigration officers in Niles, Illinois, in October 2025, despite having no criminal history beyond minor traffic offenses. Ofelia fought for her father's release, and a judge later ruled that his rights were violated when he was detained without a bond hearing. Ruben was released on a $2,000 bond as his deportation case continued.

  • Ofelia Torres died on Friday, February 14, 2026.
  • Ruben Torres Maldonado was detained by immigration officers on October 18, 2025.
  • Three days before Ofelia's death, an immigration judge in Chicago ruled that Ofelia's father was conditionally entitled to receive "cancellation of removal" due to the hardships his deportation would cause his U.S. citizen children.

The players

Ofelia Torres

A 16-year-old Chicago resident who fought to have her father released from ICE custody and died from Stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Ruben Torres Maldonado

Ofelia's father, who was detained by immigration officers in Niles, Illinois, despite having no criminal history beyond minor traffic offenses. An immigration judge later ruled that he was conditionally entitled to receive "cancellation of removal" due to the hardships his deportation would cause his U.S. citizen children.

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, Attorney representing Ruben Torres Maldonado (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The family has made private funeral arrangements for Ofelia Torres.

The takeaway

Ofelia's story highlights the human impact of immigration enforcement on families, particularly the toll it can take on children. Her fight for her father's release and her own battle with cancer serve as a powerful reminder of the courage and resilience of immigrant communities in the face of adversity.