Chicago Father of Teen Battling Rare Cancer Released from ICE Custody After Widespread Outcry.
A Mexican immigrant father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, has been released on $2,000 bond from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after his 16-year-old daughter Ofelia was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
Torres Maldonado was detained by ICE in December, just days before his daughter's diagnosis. His lawyers claim that the detention was unjustified, citing that he had no prior convictions other than traffic violations.
In response to Torres Maldonado's detention, local elected officials and community leaders called for a hearing and his immediate release. Following the outcry, Immigration Judge Eva Saltzman ruled that Torres Maldonado poses no threat to the community and ordered him released on bond.
Torres Maldonado's daughter, Ofelia, is battling metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer. Her treatment has been interrupted due to her father's detention, which has taken an emotional toll on both her physical and mental health.
Attorney Kalman Resnick stated that "Due process really means the right to tell your own side of the story...the legal right to be free from incarceration." He also emphasized that Torres Maldonado's case should serve as a warning about the erosion of immigrant rights under President Donald Trump's deportation policies.
Following his release, Torres Maldonado plans to apply for cancellation of removal and eventually pursue citizenship. His two children are US citizens, and Resnick views their father's case as an opportunity to advocate for other families who may be struggling with similar issues.
Ofelia wants her case to become a symbol of solidarity and hope for other immigrant families facing ICE detention. She expressed her desire to stand up and tell the stories of those who are being terrorized by ICE, emphasizing that she is an advocate not just for her family but also for all immigrant families in her city.
A Mexican immigrant father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, has been released on $2,000 bond from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after his 16-year-old daughter Ofelia was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
Torres Maldonado was detained by ICE in December, just days before his daughter's diagnosis. His lawyers claim that the detention was unjustified, citing that he had no prior convictions other than traffic violations.
In response to Torres Maldonado's detention, local elected officials and community leaders called for a hearing and his immediate release. Following the outcry, Immigration Judge Eva Saltzman ruled that Torres Maldonado poses no threat to the community and ordered him released on bond.
Torres Maldonado's daughter, Ofelia, is battling metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer. Her treatment has been interrupted due to her father's detention, which has taken an emotional toll on both her physical and mental health.
Attorney Kalman Resnick stated that "Due process really means the right to tell your own side of the story...the legal right to be free from incarceration." He also emphasized that Torres Maldonado's case should serve as a warning about the erosion of immigrant rights under President Donald Trump's deportation policies.
Following his release, Torres Maldonado plans to apply for cancellation of removal and eventually pursue citizenship. His two children are US citizens, and Resnick views their father's case as an opportunity to advocate for other families who may be struggling with similar issues.
Ofelia wants her case to become a symbol of solidarity and hope for other immigrant families facing ICE detention. She expressed her desire to stand up and tell the stories of those who are being terrorized by ICE, emphasizing that she is an advocate not just for her family but also for all immigrant families in her city.
Ruben Torres Maldonado's daughter Ofelia deserves so much better than to have her life put on hold by ICE detention 
And the fact that they're forcing him to pay $2,000 bond? It's like they're profiting off his suffering 
Like, what even is the point of that?! 
The system is literally designed to break people like this 
I'm just so angry and sad for them at the same time 
This whole ordeal has taken an emotional toll on Ofelia's health and well-being, and it's absolutely heartbreaking 
and his daughter Ofelia she's already goin thru so much with cancer and then this...it's just cruel. 
. Can't we just have a platform where we can share our thoughts without the pressure of "making a difference" or "starting a movement"? I mean, I get it, Ofelia's case is heartbreaking, but does everyone need to weigh in with their two cents? It's like, I'm just trying to scroll through my feed and enjoy some memes, not become an activist 
This whole situation just breaks my heart... Ruben Torres Maldonado's daughter, Ofelia, shouldn't have to go through cancer treatment with her dad held away from her like that. It's just not right 
this is crazy what's been happening with Ruben Torres Maldonado, I mean I get it, his daughter needs him and he can't be held for ICE while she's fighting cancer 
but at the same time, you gotta respect the law, right? 
its not like he was trying to break any laws or anything 
and how we need more compassion, more empathy towards people who are just trying to make a better life for themselves 
. I hope Ruben gets his citizenship soon and can finally put some peace of mind back into his family's lives 
. And let's be real, his daughter's cancer treatment got interrupted because of the whole ordeal...what if ICE didn't take him in? Would his kid be getting the medical attention she needs now? 
also ofelia's determination 2 speak out 4 other immigrant families is literally giving me LIFE 
. Anyway, back to this story... I'm glad Ruben Torres Maldonado is free now, but it makes me wonder how many other families are going through similar struggles with ICE detention? 
.
it's so messed up that the government even had to step in and say no more detention for this guy... like what kind of system do we have if we gotta intervene just to keep a family together? 
. i mean, can't we just be human and show some compassion? 
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