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A neighborhood in Chicago’s Northwest Side is rallying against what they claim was an unjust arrest by ICE agents. Earlier this month, the father of two was taken into custody, stirring community outcry.
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According to the Department of Homeland Security and his family, Ruben Torres Maldonado was apprehended by immigration officials in Niles.
His 16-year-old daughter, Ofelia Torres, turned to social media platforms to highlight the situation surrounding her father’s detention.
Ofelia is currently battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer, which she reports has metastasized.
“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.
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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.”
