Chicago Teen with Terminal Cancer Reunites with Parents in Mexico After ICE Detainment

In a heartwarming turn of events, the parents of an 18-year-old Chicago native suffering from terminal cancer have been reunited with their son after being detained by ICE.

This emotional reunion occurred on Saturday in Durango, Mexico.

The footage linked above is from an earlier report.

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Kevin Gonzalez received the devastating diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer while he was in Chicago visiting his brother during the holidays.

Following the diagnosis, Kevin’s mother shared with ABC7 that she and her husband applied for emergency visas, but their requests were denied due to their previous deportations.

His parents, who live in Mexico, attempted to cross the border illegally to be with their son. They were detained by ICE and held in federal custody in Arizona.

The family fought to be reunited.

Knowing he might just have days left to live and wanting to hold his mother and father one last time, Gonzalez checked himself out of the University of Chicago Medical Center hospital last week and flew to his grandmother’s home in Mexico. He hoped that his parents would be released from custody and deported in time for him to say goodbye.

On Thursday, a judge in Arizona ordered the release of Gonzalez’s parents. On Friday, they returned to Mexico.

Gonzalez’s brother in Chicago, Jovany Ramirez, told ABC7 his parents were escorted by ICE to the border. That is where consulate officials helped them board a bus, and then an emergency flight was arranged for them to get home as quickly as possible.

A spokesperson for the Mexican Consulate in Chicago shared the following statement on Wednesday:
“The case has been closely monitored through our Consular Protection Department. However, it should be noted that, due to the location of the facility where our nationals are detained, direct consular assistance falls under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Mexico in Tucson, which oversees that region. They are already in contact with the attorney representing Kevin’s parents and following up to further assist them in the repatriation process.