US teen who pushed for her father’s release from ICE custody dies of cancer
Sunday, February 15, 2026
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Ofelia Torres, a 16-year-old Chicago teenager, died on Friday after battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer since late 2024, according to a family spokesperson, as reported by The Guardian US.
Ruben Torres Maldonado, Ofelia's father, was detained by immigration authorities in October at a Home Depot, sparking a public case that spotlighted the human impact of the Trump administration's immigration policies.
Ofelia's case drew attention to the emotional toll of ICE detentions on families, with her father's detention occurring while she was undergoing cancer treatment, highlighting the need for immigration reform and accountability, as noted by The Guardian US.
