Chicago Dad Of Teen Battling Cancer Is Being Illegally Detained By ICE, Judge Rules

Judge Jeremy Daniel ordered a bond hearing for Ruben Torres Maldonado, detained by ICE following his daughter Ofelia's release from a 39-day chemotherapy treatment. The ruling came after Resnick argued that Torres Maldonado’s detention violated the Immigration and Nationality Act, as he was not given a chance for pre-trial release. Since his arrest on October 18, he has been held in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at an ICE processing center. His family has lived in Chicago since 2003, and Torres Maldonado has worked for the same employer for two decades without serious legal issues. Ofelia, 16, shared her struggles with the emotional toll of her father’s detention on her health.

A fundraiser organized by her in-home teacher has raised over $111,000 to support the family. Local officials, including Rep. Delia C. Ramirez, criticized ICE's actions as harmful to communities. They emphasized the need for reform in federal immigration enforcement practices that disproportionately affect families of color.