Teen Dies from Rare Cancer After Fighting for Father's Release from ICE Custody

Ofelia Torres, a 16-year-old Chicago student, passed away just days after her father was granted a path to U.S. citizenship.

Published on Feb. 16, 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 after he was arrested in 2025 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 him a path to permanent residency and potentially citizenship.

Why it matters

Ofelia's story highlights the human toll of immigration enforcement policies, as well as the courage of young people who advocate for their families in the face of adversity. Her fight for her father's release brought national attention to his case and the challenges faced by immigrant families.

The details

Ofelia was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue cancer in December 2024. She was released from the hospital in October 2025 to spend a weekend with family and friends, but her doctor said she was unable to continue treatment due to the stress caused by her father's arrest. 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 Trump administration's deportation efforts in the national spotlight.

  • Ofelia was diagnosed with cancer in December 2024.
  • Ofelia was released from the hospital in October 2025 to spend time with family.
  • Ofelia's father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, was arrested by ICE agents on October 18, 2025.
  • On Tuesday, three days before Ofelia's death, an immigration judge ruled that Torres Maldonado was entitled to 'cancellation of removal'.

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 died on February 15, 2026.

Ruben Torres Maldonado

Ofelia's father, who was arrested by ICE agents in October 2025 and was later granted a path to U.S. citizenship.

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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 (WGN)

What’s next

The family says they will have a private funeral for Ofelia.

The takeaway

Ofelia's story is a tragic reminder of the human toll of immigration enforcement policies, and the courage of young people who advocate for their families in the face of adversity. Her fight for her father's release brought national attention to his case and the challenges faced by immigrant families.