Teen Daughter of Chicago Man Detained by ICE Dies After Cancer Battle

Ruben Torres Maldonado endured "inhumane conditions" at Broadview ICE facility, says family spokesperson.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The 16-year-old daughter of Ruben Torres Maldonado, a Chicago man who was detained by federal immigration agents, has died after a battle with stage 4 cancer. Torres Maldonado was detained outside a Home Depot in Niles shortly after his daughter Ofelia Giselle Torres Hidalgo returned home from the hospital for cancer treatments. He was later released from DHS custody in October, and Ofelia continued her fight with cancer, finding comfort in spending time with her father. Tragically, Ofelia passed away just three days after an immigration judge ruled that Torres Maldonado could receive "cancellation of removal" and a pathway to permanent residency.

Why it matters

This heartbreaking story highlights the human toll of immigration enforcement actions, especially when they separate families dealing with serious medical issues. It raises concerns about the treatment of detainees and the impact on vulnerable populations like children with life-threatening illnesses.

The details

Ruben Torres Maldonado was detained by federal immigration agents outside a Home Depot in Niles, Illinois on October 18, shortly after his 16-year-old daughter Ofelia Giselle Torres Hidalgo returned home from the hospital where she was receiving treatment for stage 4 cancer. Torres Maldonado says he endured "inhumane conditions" at the Broadview ICE facility during his detention. After being released in October, Ofelia continued her cancer fight with her father by her side, finding comfort in simple moments together. Tragically, Ofelia passed away just three days after an immigration judge ruled that Torres Maldonado could receive "cancellation of removal" and a pathway to permanent residency.

  • On October 18, Torres Maldonado was detained by federal immigration agents outside a Home Depot in Niles.
  • In October, Torres Maldonado was released from DHS custody.
  • Three days before her death, an immigration judge ruled that Torres Maldonado could receive "cancellation of removal" and a pathway to permanent residency.

The players

Ruben Torres Maldonado

A Chicago man who was detained by federal immigration agents outside a Home Depot in Niles, Illinois. He says he endured "inhumane conditions" at the Broadview ICE facility during his detention.

Ofelia Giselle Torres Hidalgo

The 16-year-old daughter of Ruben Torres Maldonado who was battling stage 4 cancer. She passed away just three days after an immigration judge ruled that her father could receive "cancellation of removal" and a pathway to permanent residency.

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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 Torres Maldonado (ABC7 Chicago)

The takeaway

This tragic story underscores the immense human toll that aggressive immigration enforcement can have, especially on vulnerable populations like children battling life-threatening illnesses. It serves as a sobering reminder of the need for compassion and a more humane approach to immigration policy.