Chicago Teen Battling Father’s Deportation Dies of Rare Cancer at 16

A 16-year-old Chicago girl who bravely spoke out against her father’s deportation has died after fighting a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Ofelia Giselle Torres Hidalgo passed away on Friday due to stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a serious soft tissue cancer. Her family confirmed the news in a statement and said that funeral arrangements will remain private.

Ofelia was diagnosed in December 2024 with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive cancer that affects the body’s soft tissues. After her diagnosis, she began chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Even while facing intense medical treatment, she remained strong and continued to support her father during his immigration deportation case.

Just three days before her death, an immigration judge in Chicago ruled that her father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, was conditionally eligible for “cancellation of removal.” This important decision gives him a path toward becoming a lawful permanent resident and possibly a US citizen in the future. The judge considered the hardship that deportation would cause his children, who were born in the United States and are US citizens. Ofelia attended the final hearing through Zoom despite her weak health condition.

Ruben Torres Maldonado, who works as a painter and home renovator, was detained on October 18 at a Home Depot store in suburban Chicago. His arrest happened during a large immigration enforcement operation known as “Operation Midway Blitz.” His lawyers argued that his detention was illegal and violated his due process rights. In October, a judge ruled in his favor and ordered a bond hearing. He was later released on a $2,000 bond, with the court noting that he did not have a criminal history.

The Department of Homeland Security has stated that Torres Maldonado entered the United States in 2003 and had been living in the country without legal status. Officials also mentioned that he had previous driving-related offenses, including driving without a valid license, without insurance, and speeding.

While undergoing cancer treatment, Ofelia recorded an emotional video message that was shared on a GoFundMe page created to support her family. In the video, she described her father as a hardworking man who wakes up early every morning to provide for his family. She said she felt it was unfair that hardworking immigrant families were being targeted just because they were not born in the country.

In October, she attended one of her father’s hearings in a wheelchair. Her family’s attorneys told the judge that she had been released from the hospital just a day before her father’s arrest so she could see her loved ones. They also said that the stress and disruption affected her ability to continue her cancer treatment at one point.

Kalman Resnick, the attorney representing Torres Maldonado, described Ofelia as heroic and brave. He said she showed great courage while facing both cancer and the possibility of her father’s deportation. He expressed hope that her strength and determination would inspire others to stand up for what is right even during the most difficult times.

Ofelia is survived by her parents and her younger brother. Her story has drawn attention across the country, highlighting the human impact of immigration cases and the strength of a young girl who fought for her family until her final days.