Chicago Teen Whose Father Was Detained by ICE Dies After Cancer Battle

Ofelia Torres, 15, fought cancer while her father was detained by immigration authorities during Operation Midway Blitz.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Ofelia Torres, a 15-year-old Chicago Public Schools student whose father was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while she was fighting cancer, has died, her family announced. The Torres family's story gained public attention after Ofelia's father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, was detained at a Home Depot in Niles, Illinois. Despite her illness, Ofelia was a fierce public presence, attending a court hearing where her family's attorney argued for her father's release. Days before Ofelia's death, an immigration judge ruled that Torres was conditionally entitled to 'cancellation of removal' due to the hardships his deportation would cause his U.S. citizen children.

Why it matters

Ofelia's case highlighted the Trump administration's harsh approach to immigration and detention, as well as the toll it took on immigrant families. Her story underscored the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants and their families, particularly those dealing with serious medical issues.

The details

Ofelia had been on a temporary break from cancer treatment at Lurie Children's Hospital when her family worked with her oncologist to arrange a short weekend getaway. As the girls spent time together, Torres called his wife, Sandibell Hidalgo, from a number that came up on Caller ID as 'prison / jail.' This set off a flurry of court briefs, legal fights, and public protests calling for Torres's release. Despite her illness, Ofelia was a fierce public presence, attending a court hearing where her family's attorney argued for her father's release.

  • In October, Ofelia's father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, was detained at a Home Depot in Niles.
  • Days before Ofelia's death, an immigration judge ruled that Torres was conditionally entitled to 'cancellation of removal' due to the hardships his deportation would cause his U.S. citizen children.

The players

Ofelia Torres

A 15-year-old Chicago Public Schools student who was fighting cancer while her father was detained by ICE.

Ruben Torres Maldonado

Ofelia's father, who was detained by ICE at a Home Depot in Niles, Illinois.

Sandibell Hidalgo

Ofelia's mother.

Kalman Resnick

Ofelia's family attorney, who argued for her father's release.

Craig Oswald

A federal prosecutor who acknowledged the 'very serious situation' facing the Torres family.

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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, Ofelia's family attorney (Chicago Tribune)

“That day that you came home with your car, I felt like I had done it. I made it in life. Everything I had done, everything I worked for, everything I sacrificed, everything I suffered, was worth it because that's what I wanted to see.”

— Ruben Torres Maldonado (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The family plans to hold a memorial service for Ofelia in the coming days.

The takeaway

Ofelia's story highlights the devastating impact of the Trump administration's harsh immigration policies on immigrant families, particularly those facing serious medical challenges. Her courage and advocacy in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration to others fighting for justice and compassion.