Teen with stage 4 cancer advocates for detained father's release, dies days after judge grants him relief
Feb 16, 2026·Location: New York, NY
Country of origin: Colombia

Ofelia Torres, a 16-year-old U.S. citizen and Lake View High School junior from Chicago, died from metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma on February 13, 2026. Her father, Ruben Torres-Maldonado, an undocumented immigrant, was detained by ICE agents at a Home Depot in October 2025 during the Trump administration's 'Operation Midway Blitz' enforcement initiative. While undergoing hospice care for stage 4 cancer, Ofelia posted social media videos calling for her father's release from custody. Three days before her death, an immigration judge ruled that Torres-Maldonado was entitled to cancellation of removal based on the hardship his deportation would cause his U.S. citizen children, granting him protection from deportation and the ability to pursue permanent residence.
Timeline
Sources
- Chicago teen who called for father's release from ICE detention dies of rare cancer
NBC News·Feb 16, 2026·archived copy
- CBS News
- Teen who campaigned for father detained by ICE dies from cancer
my.independent.co.uk·Feb 16, 2026·archived copy
- Who was Ofelia Torres? Chicago teen who fought for father’s release from ICE detention dies of cancer - The Times of India
- Leaders react after Chicago teen who called for dad's release from ICE custody dies of cancer
abc7chicago.com·Feb 16, 2026·archived copy
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