Context:

Ofelia Giselle Torres Hidalgo, a 16-year-old from Chicago, passed away from stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma shortly after advocating for her father's release from immigration detention. Diagnosed in December 2024, she underwent extensive treatment while her father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, faced deportation amid a crackdown known as 'Operation Midway Blitz.' Just days before her death, an immigration judge ruled that Torres Maldonado could potentially obtain legal residency due to the hardship his deportation would cause his U.S.-born children. Ofelia's brave fight for her father drew attention to the struggles of immigrant families. Her passing raises questions about the human impact of immigration policies and the ongoing fight for justice in such cases.

Dive Deeper:

• Ofelia Torres Hidalgo was diagnosed with stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in December 2024 and had been receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatment until her death on a Friday.

• Ruben Torres Maldonado was detained on October 18, 2025, during an immigration operation and had been fighting his deportation case while incarcerated, citing the emotional and physical toll on his family.

• The immigration judge's ruling to allow Torres Maldonado to pursue cancellation of removal came just three days before Ofelia's death, acknowledging the potential impact on his U.S. citizen children.

• Ofelia was active in her father's case and participated via Zoom in a hearing shortly before her death, reinforcing her family's narrative against the backdrop of aggressive immigration enforcement.

• The family's legal team highlighted the emotional distress caused by the detention, stating Ofelia was released from the hospital shortly before her father's arrest and was unable to continue her treatment due to stress.

• Torres Maldonado entered the U.S. in 2003 and had no significant criminal history, which ultimately contributed to the judge's decision to grant him a bond of $2,000 for release from detention.