Chicago community rallies after ICE arrests father of teen fighting cancer in Niles

Wednesday, October 22, 2025
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A community on Chicago's Northwest Side accused ICE agents of unjustly arresting a father of two children earlier this month.



Ruben Torres Maldonado was arrested by immigration officials in Niles, DHS and his family said.

His daughter Ofelia Torres, 16, took to social media to spread awareness about her father's detainment.

Ofelia is undergoing treatment for a rare and life-threatening cancer that she says has spread.



"On October 18, 2025, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., he was detained by ICE at a Home Depot in Niles, Illinois," Ofelia said in a video shared to social media. "My dad, Rubin Torres, has been the main parent who watches my brother while I stayed at the hospital."

Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, Torres' attorney and other political leaders took a collective stand to call out the immigration enforcement.

They claim Torres Maldonado has been in the United States since 2003.

"He is a great man. He's a taxpayer, he's a wonderful dad, and I need his support. And yesterday, my daughter had a breakdown. She was crying for hours. She wasn't feeling well, and on top of that, she was just telling me how much she misses her dad," said Sandibell Hidalgo Herrera, Torres' partner.

The Department of Homeland Security commented on Torres Maldonado's arrest claiming he has a history of driving offenses, including driving without insurance and a valid ID, along with speeding.



Congresswoman Ramirez says Torres Maldonado will be immigration court on Thursday.

SEE ALSO | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates

Assistant CHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued the following statement:

"On October 18, U.S. Border Patrol conducted a targeted immigration enforcement operation that resulted in the arrest of Ruben Torres Maldanado, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico.

"His criminal history shows he has a history of habitual driving offenses and has been charged multiple times with driving without insurance, driving without a valid license, and speeding.

"During his arrest he did not comply with instructions from the officers and attempted to flee in his vehicle and backed into a government vehicle. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal.

"This is nothing more than a desperate Hail Mary attempt to keep a criminal illegal alien in our country. The Trump administration is fighting for the rule of law and the American people."
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.