A 16-year-old girl, recently discharged from a hospital after battling Stage 4 cancer, is advocating for the release of her father, who was detained by federal immigration agents. Ofelia Torres, who has been undergoing treatment for nearly a year, is speaking out after her father, Ruben Torres, was taken into custody during an incident at a Home Depot store in Niles, Illinois.
Ruben Torres, a Mexican citizen, has lived in the United States since 2003 and has worked as a painter for the same employer for the past 20 years. His attorney, Kalman Resnick, confirmed that Ruben is currently detained at the federal ICE processing facility in Broadview. Resnick plans to file a motion in federal court later this week, seeking his client’s release.
“He has an absolutely impeccable record in the United States,” Resnick stated. He expressed confidence that they can demonstrate to an immigration judge that Ruben is entitled to remain in the country with his family. The legal strategy involves seeking a “cancellation of removal,” which could pave the way for Ruben to gain lawful permanent residency and eventually citizenship.
Ofelia described her father as a hardworking individual who provides for his family without complaint. “My dad, like many other fathers, is a hard-working person who wakes up early in the morning and goes to work,” she said. The emotional toll of her father’s detention weighs heavily on her, as she continues her fight against cancer.
Kalman Resnick criticized the situation as “pure, simple, engineered cruelty,” emphasizing that the Torres family’s experience reflects a broader issue affecting many immigrant families across the country. Ofelia has taken to social media to urge federal agents to treat immigrants like her father with compassion. “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,” she said.
The Torres family’s plight highlights ongoing discussions surrounding immigration enforcement and its impact on families. Within the context of federal immigration policies, many advocates argue that such detentions can exacerbate the hardships faced by individuals battling serious health conditions and their families.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Torres family remains hopeful for a positive outcome. The upcoming court date will be critical in determining Ruben Torres’s future in the United States and the family’s ability to remain united during this challenging time.
