Loved ones remember Ofelia Torres, teen who died of cancer after pushing for dad's release from ICE custody

Loved ones are remembering 16-year-old Ofelia Torres as a brave advocate, after the teenager died while battling stage 4 cancer after successfully fighting to get her father released from immigration detention.

Ofelia was a junior at Lake View High School, and was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in December of 2024. The next year of her life would be marked by her toughest battles; fighting both for her health and for her father's freedom.

"The day after she was released from the hospital, her dad was detained, and the following Monday when she was supposed to return for treatment, the doctors found that she wasn't well enough because of just the turmoil that his detention had caused on her," said family attorney Naiara Testai.

Ofelia was able to spend her last weeks with her father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, after a judge ordered his release on $2,000 bond in October, although her last few weeks were spent likely thinking about if he'd ever be granted a path to citizenship.

She died on Friday from rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that develops in skeletal muscles.

Last year, she advocated on her father's behalf and fought for his release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, detailing how his absence not only impacted her but also her brother and mother.

Her father is a long-term non-citizen resident of the U.S., who was arrested by ICE agents at a Home Depot in north suburban Niles on Oct. 18.

Aside from minor traffic offenses, he has no criminal history.  

Both Ofelia and her brother were reunited with their dad when he was released on $2,000 dollar bond as his immigration case continued.

"She was very shy at first about going on camera and showing her story. She was especially shy about her appearance. A lot of her family members or extended family hadn't seen her since she had started her battle with cancer, and she told her mom, 'You know, I have to do this for dad. I have to be brave. I have to tell his story and try to advocate for people who can't speak from themselves,'" Testai said.

Illinois state Sen. Graciela Guzman (D-Chicago) spoke with Ofelia and her family as their case continued.

"She specifically said, 'For as sick as I am, I have the privilege that I can advocate for my dad, and my dad has been someone that had been there for me,'" Guzman said. "She said, 'The least that I can do is help people understand who my dad is.'"

Three days before Ofelia died, a judge ruled there was enough evidence in her father's case to grant him a "cancellation of removal," due to the hardships his deportation would cause his children, who are U.S. citizens, providing him with a pathway to lawful permanent residence and eventually U.S. citizenship.

Now the family is waiting on a visa to be available. The estimated wait time for that type of visa is 5 years.

Ofelia was a junior and attended Lake View High School. Private funeral arrangements have been made. 

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson both have offered their condolences to the family.

In a statement on social media, Pritzker called Ofelia "a symbol of strength at a time when even the strongest would have bowed."

He offered his deepest condolences to the family, adding the traditional Jewish mourning phrase, "May her memory be a blessing."

Johnson responded to Ofelia's passing on social media, saying in part, "Ofelia led a steadfast, dedicated and truly inspiring life. Her courage amidst powerful forces that have been designed to stoke fear, uncertainty, and division shows us who we are at our best."