A 16-year-old girl recently released from a Chicago hospital following treatment for Stage 4 cancer is advocating for the release of her father, who was detained by federal immigration agents. Ofelia Torres has been fighting her own health battle for nearly a year, and her family is now facing an additional crisis as her father, Ruben Torres, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Ruben Torres, a Mexican citizen who has lived in the United States since 2003, was apprehended at a Home Depot store in Niles. His attorney, Kalman Resnick, stated that Ruben has been employed as a painter for the same company for the past 20 years. Resnick plans to seek a federal judge’s permission for Ruben to remain in the country, emphasizing his client’s strong community ties and clean record.
“He has an absolutely impeccable record in the United States,” Resnick said. “We believe that we can demonstrate to an immigration judge that he’s entitled to stay in the United States with his family and receive what’s called ‘cancellation of removal,’ which will give him a pathway to lawful permanent residence and eventually citizenship.” Resnick is set to present this case in federal court later this week.
Ofelia expressed her distress over her father’s detention, describing him as a hardworking man who provides for his family. “My dad, like many other fathers, is a hard-working person who wakes up early in the morning and goes to work without complaint,” she said. She hopes that federal agents will treat immigrants like her father with dignity and respect.
In a heartfelt video message, Ofelia called for public awareness regarding the treatment of immigrant families. “I’m making this video to spread awareness and remind the public that immigrants are humans with families and deserve to be treated with love and respect, just like anyone else,” she stated.
Resnick criticized the circumstances surrounding Ruben’s detention, labeling it as “engineered cruelty.” He pointed out that many families across the city and beyond are facing similar challenges. As Ofelia continues her fight against cancer, her family’s future hangs in the balance as they await the outcome of her father’s case.
The situation has drawn attention to broader issues regarding immigration policies and their impacts on families. Advocates for immigrant rights are calling for reforms to ensure that individuals like Ruben Torres are treated fairly and humanely, especially during challenging times.
As this story develops, the Torres family remains hopeful for a resolution that allows them to stay together while Ofelia continues her recovery from cancer.
