Chicago Teen Dies of Cancer After Father's Detention

Daughter of man arrested in Chicago immigration raid passes away.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Chicago teenager who had advocated for her father's release after immigration agents detained him last fall in a deportation case has died of cancer. The 16-year-old girl, whose name is being withheld, had been battling the disease for several months.

Why it matters

The girl's death highlights the human toll that immigration enforcement actions can have on families, especially children. Her case drew attention to the broader impacts of deportation policies on immigrant communities.

The details

The girl's father was one of several people arrested in a Chicago immigration raid last October. The teenager had been a vocal advocate for her father's release, pleading with authorities to allow him to remain in the country. However, she was diagnosed with cancer shortly after her father's detention and passed away earlier this month.

  • The immigration raid that led to the father's detention occurred in October 2025.
  • The teenager was diagnosed with cancer soon after her father's arrest.
  • The 16-year-old girl passed away in February 2026.

The players

The 16-year-old girl

The daughter of a man detained in a Chicago immigration raid, who advocated for her father's release before passing away from cancer.

The girl's father

A man who was detained in a Chicago immigration raid in October 2025.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the profound human impact that immigration enforcement actions can have on families, especially children. It highlights the need for compassionate and humane policies that consider the wellbeing of all those affected.