Overview
- Ofelia Torres died Friday at age 16 from stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, according to a family spokesperson.
- Three days before her death, a Chicago immigration judge found Ruben Torres Maldonado conditionally eligible for cancellation of removal, a ruling that could lead to lawful permanent residence and eventual U.S. citizenship.
- Ofelia watched the court hearing via Zoom, capping months in which she publicly advocated for her father’s case through videos, news conferences and court appearances in a wheelchair.
- ICE agents detained Torres Maldonado on Oct. 18 at a Home Depot in Niles during the Operation Midway Blitz crackdown; he was later released after a bond hearing, with a judge earlier finding his detention unlawful.
- DHS has alleged a history of driving offenses and said he attempted to flee during the arrest, while family attorneys and a judge cited his lack of a serious criminal record and found no evidence he posed a danger.