Teen Cancer Patient Seeks Release of Father Detained by ICE

A 16-year-old girl, recently discharged from a hospital following treatment for Stage 4 cancer, is advocating for her father’s release after he was detained by federal immigration agents. Ofelia Torres’s father, Ruben Torres, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a Home Depot store in Niles, Illinois, just days after her hospital release.

Ofelia has been fighting her illness for nearly a year and expressed her deep concern for her father, describing him as a dedicated worker. “My dad, like many other fathers, is a hard-working person who wakes up early in the morning and goes to work without complaint,” she shared in a public video.

According to his attorney, Kalman Resnick, Ruben Torres, a Mexican citizen, has lived in the United States since 2003 and has worked as a painter for the same employer for the past 20 years. Resnick confirmed that his client is currently detained at the federal ICE processing facility in Broadview.

Resnick plans to petition a federal judge later this week to secure Ruben’s release. He emphasized that Ruben has maintained an “absolutely impeccable record” during his time in the United States. Resnick believes they can demonstrate to an immigration judge that Ruben is entitled to remain in the country and receive “cancellation of removal,” potentially leading to lawful permanent residency and eventual citizenship.

“This is just nothing short of cruelty, pure, simple, engineered cruelty,” Resnick stated, highlighting that what is happening to Ofelia’s family reflects the struggles faced by many immigrant families across the nation.

In her plea for compassion, Ofelia called on federal agents to treat immigrants like her father with “love and respect.” She aims to raise awareness about the humanity of immigrants, emphasizing that they deserve to be treated just like anyone else. “I’m making this video to spread awareness and remind the public that immigrants are humans with families,” she said.

The situation has drawn significant attention, illustrating the broader implications of immigration enforcement and its impact on families. As Ofelia continues her fight against cancer, the uncertainty surrounding her father’s legal status adds an additional layer of stress to an already challenging situation. The family hopes for a resolution that will allow them to remain united during this difficult time.