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Father arrested outside Home Depot, detained during daughter's cancer treatment, later dies of cancer

Feb 15, 2026 · Chicago, IL

Father arrested outside Home Depot, detained during daughter's cancer treatment, later dies of cancer

Ruben Torres Maldonado, a home painter who has lived in the U.S. since 2003, was arrested by ICE agents on October 18, 2025, outside a Home Depot in the Chicago area and detained at the Broadview ICE facility before being transferred to Clay County, Indiana. His arrest occurred shortly after his 16-year-old daughter Ofelia returned home from the hospital, where she was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Her cancer treatments were put on hold during his detention. A federal judge ruled that Torres Maldonado's detention violated his due process rights. An immigration judge set his bond at $2,000, which his family paid, and ruled him conditionally entitled to cancellation of removal based on family hardship, noting he poses no danger to the public and has strong family and community ties. He was released on Thursday, October 30, reuniting him with his family. On February 15, 2026, Ofelia died after her cancer battle. An immigration judge's ruling on her death came three days before, granting Torres Maldonado a pathway to lawful permanent residence.

Timeline

Feb 15, 2026Ofelia Giselle Torres Hidalgo, Torres Maldonado's 16-year-old daughter, died after battling stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma.
Feb 12, 2026Immigration judge ruled Torres Maldonado conditionally entitled to cancellation of removal due to hardships his deportation would cause his U.S. citizen children, providing pathway to lawful permanent residence.
Oct 30, 2025Immigration Judge Eva Saltzman ordered Torres Maldonado released on $2,000 bond; family paid bond and he was released. Judge found detention violated due process rights and ruled him conditionally entitled to cancellation of removal based on family hardship.
Oct 18, 2025Ruben Torres Maldonado arrested by ICE agents outside Home Depot in Chicago area; detained at Broadview ICE facility, then transferred to Clay County, Indiana facility. His 16-year-old daughter Ofelia was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for stage 4 cancer; her treatments were put on hold during his detention.

Sources

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