Chicago Mourns Ofelia Torres, Young Advocate Who Fought for Her Father’s Freedom

Chicago, IL – The Chicago community gathered Friday, February 20, 2026, to mourn the loss of Ofelia Torres, a 16-year-old who bravely battled metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of soft tissue cancer and tirelessly advocated for her father’s release from immigration detention. Her funeral was held at St. William Parish in the Montclare neighborhood.

A Life Cut Short, A Legacy of Courage

Ofelia passed away on February 13, 2026, after beginning chemotherapy for Stage 4 cancer the previous year. Her story gained national attention when her father, Rubén Torres Maldonado, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Niles, Illinois, in October 2025, just after a brief release from Lurie Children’s Hospital to spend time with family and friends. Doctors indicated that her treatment was negatively impacted by the stress and disruption caused by her father’s arrest.

The Fight for Rubén Torres Maldonado

Ofelia became a vocal advocate for her father’s release, creating a video shared on social media that garnered widespread support. Following public outcry, Maldonado was released on bail at the complete of October 2025. Last week, a Chicago immigration judge granted Maldonado “cancellation of removal,” providing a pathway to legal permanent residency and eventual U.S. Citizenship, according to a news release.

Community Remembers a Bright Spirit

Reyna Torres, Consul General of Mexico in Chicago, spoke to reporters after the funeral, stating that Ofelia “left us with a lot of light, a lot of strength.” She added that the consulate would continue its work for the community, inspired by Ofelia’s fight. Father Ryszard Gron, who delivered the funeral homily, told reporters that the community was “lucky to accompany Ofelia’s family.”

Legal Representation and Community Support

Kalman Resnick, the attorney representing the Torres family, stated that Ofelia was “heroic and brave” in the face of her father’s detention and the threat of deportation. A GoFundMe page created for Ofelia had raised over $153,000 as of Monday, February 23, 2026.

A Lasting Impact

Ofelia Torres’s story is a testament to the power of advocacy and the strength of family. Her courage in the face of adversity has left a lasting impact on the Chicago community and beyond.