by Chicago, Illinois – A Chicago high school junior who captured national attention while fighting both a rare cancer diagnosis and for her father’s release from federal immigration detention has died.
Ofelia Giselle Torres Hidalgo passed away Friday after battling metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive soft tissue cancer. She had been undergoing treatment since December 2024, and the disease progressed to stage 4 last year.
Her death was confirmed in a news release shared with supporters and the community that had rallied behind her.
Rare cancer diagnosis and treatment battle
Ofelia, a junior at Lake View High School, began chemotherapy after doctors determined her cancer had advanced. Despite the difficult treatments, she remained vocal and determined — even as her personal life was disrupted by her father’s detention.
In mid-October, just one day after she was released for the weekend from Lurie Children’s Hospital to spend time with family and friends, her father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, was detained by ICE agents in Niles.
According to doctors, the stress and disruption caused by the arrest impacted her ability to continue treatment.
Physicians said she was unable to continue chemotherapy “because of the stress and disruption” caused by her father’s detention.
Public plea leads to father’s release
Following widespread public outcry — including a heartfelt video Ofelia posted on social media — Maldonado was released on bond from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in late October.
Her attorney, Kalman Resnick, described her as courageous during an extraordinarily difficult time.
“Ofelia was heroic and brave in the face of ICE’s detention and threatened deportation of her father,” Resnick said. “We mourn Ofelia’s passing, and we hope that she will serve as a model for us all for how to be courageous and to fight for what’s right to our last breaths.”
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Immigration ruling offered path forward
Just days before her passing, an immigration judge in Chicago conditionally granted Maldonado a “cancellation of removal,” recognizing the hardship his deportation would impose on his U.S. citizen children.
The decision provides him with a potential pathway to lawful permanent residency and eventual U.S. citizenship. Ofelia was able to watch her father’s hearing via Zoom, according to the release.
Community support and fundraising
A GoFundMe page launched in October to support Ofelia and her family has raised more than $119,000, reflecting the widespread support her story generated.
Her advocacy, resilience and public plea for her father’s release drew attention far beyond Chicago, highlighting both her personal strength and the challenges facing families navigating serious illness and immigration proceedings.
Her family has not yet released details regarding memorial services.
Ofelia’s story resonated with many who followed her journey — from her fight against a rare cancer to her determination to stand up for her family.
What are your thoughts on how communities can better support families facing medical and immigration challenges? Share your perspective respectfully in the comments below.
