Chicago Teen Dies of Cancer After Advocating for Father's ICE Release

Ofelia Torres, 16, fought for her undocumented father's freedom while battling stage 4 cancer

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Ofelia Torres, a 16-year-old Chicago resident, died on Friday after a battle with metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Torres had gained national attention last fall for posting a video on social media calling for the release of her undocumented father, Ruben Torres-Maldonado, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. Just three days before her death, an immigration judge ruled that Torres-Maldonado was conditionally entitled to receive cancellation of removal, which could provide a pathway to a green card.

Why it matters

This story highlights the human impact of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies, which separated families and caused significant distress, especially for vulnerable individuals like Ofelia Torres who was battling a terminal illness. It also underscores the challenges undocumented immigrants face in navigating the complex U.S. immigration system.

The details

Torres-Maldonado was taken into custody by ICE agents at a Home Depot in Niles, Illinois, outside Chicago on October 18 before being released on bond about two weeks later. The Department of Homeland Security alleged that Torres-Maldonado had backed into a government vehicle while attempting to flee, and that he had a history of driving without insurance, driving without a valid license, and speeding. However, Torres said she had "nothing but love" for the federal agents who arrested her father, and that their actions were "not the right thing to do."

  • Ofelia Torres died on Friday, February 16, 2026.
  • Torres-Maldonado was taken into custody by ICE agents on October 18, before being released on bond about two weeks later.
  • Just three days before her death, an immigration judge ruled that Torres-Maldonado was conditionally entitled to receive cancellation of removal.

The players

Ofelia Torres

A 16-year-old Chicago resident who battled stage 4 cancer and advocated for her father's release from ICE detention.

Ruben Torres-Maldonado

Ofelia Torres' undocumented father, who was detained by ICE agents during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Kalman Resnick

The attorney representing Torres-Maldonado.

Tricia McLaughlin

The Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary who alleged that Torres-Maldonado had backed into a government vehicle while attempting to flee.

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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

“To the ICE agents who smashed my dad's window, to the ICE agent who pointed a gun at my dad, I'm not mad at you ... I just want you to know that that was not the right thing to do.”

— Ofelia Torres (ABC News)

What’s next

The immigration judge's ruling that Torres-Maldonado was conditionally entitled to receive cancellation of removal could provide a pathway to a green card, though the final outcome remains to be seen.

The takeaway

Ofelia Torres' courageous fight to defend her father from deportation, even as she battled terminal cancer, serves as a poignant reminder of the human toll of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies and the resilience of those impacted by them.